News

RM1 billion fund for first house purchase - Lim

Last update: 02/11/2018

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- Bank Negara will be setting up a RM1 billion fund to finance the first house purchase for those with monthly income not exceeding RM2,300.  

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the fund would be provided from January 1 2019 to purchase affordable houses priced up to RM150,000.

“The fund will be available at Ambank, CIMB Bank, Maybank, RHB Bank and Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) at a low financing rate of 3.5 per cent.

“This will reduce the monthly payment instalment for borrowers to own houses and to facilitate them obtain financing,” he said when tabling Budget 2019 at Dewan Rakyat today.

Speaking at the tabling of the budget themed “Credible Malaysia, Dynamic Economy, Prosperous Rakyat, Lim said the fund would be provided for two years or until it runs out.

Meanwhile, Lim said for first-time buyers of houses valued up to RM500,000, the government will grant stamp duty exemption of up to RM300,000 on the transfer and loan agreement for two years until December 2020.

For first-time housing loan borrowers with household income of up to RM5,000, Lim said the government would be allocating RM25 million to Cagamas Bhd to provide leasing guarantee to ensure the borrowers obtain  higher financing including the deposit.

“The move is expected to save cost of between seven to 11 per cent for house buyers apart from discounts offered by the developer,” he said.

Meanwhile, to assist public sector employees own houses, the government will be extending the housing repayment period at the Public Sector Home Financing Board (LPPSA).    

He said the first financing period was extended from 30 years to 35 years and the second financing  period would be extended from 25 years to 30 years.

He added that RM400 million would be allocated for the maintenance and repair of government quarters for civil servants especially police, armed forces and teachers to live more comfortably.

-- BERNAMA