UEM Land Holdings Berhad’s MD/CEO
Dato’ Wan Abdullah Wan Ibrahim

“It’s a fantastic budget for the industry especially for first time home owners. The 50% waiver on stamp duty for first time disposal is also very good. It’s one of the best budgets – forward-looking, brave and bold move. Of course, the devil’s in the details. We have to make sure that it’s executed well. If the property industry flourishes, it will benefit 35 other industries eg. construction and the suppliers.
UEM Land has properties for every budget, from high-end to medium and low-end. For example, Nusa Bayu are 2-storey terrace houses priced about RM200 – RM250K.”

Sunway City Berhad
Mr Ho Hon Sang, Managing Director
Property Development Division, Malaysia

“Overall, it is a very rakyat-friendly budget and we are supportive of the Government’s actions to transform the nation in a developed and high-income economy for sustainable development.  The higher budget of RM212 billion reflects the Government’s commitment to implement its economic initiatives as well.

We also believe that the stamp duty exemption of 50% on instruments of transfer on a house price not exceeding RM350,000 for 1st-time house buyers will help spur the property sector and enable lower-income groups to enjoy more affordable homes.

The development of the Malaysian Rubber Board land in Sungai Buloh will also translate to more opportunities within the property sector. We are also heartened that the Government is committed to develop green technology to ensure sustainable development. As a property developer that is focused on building green buildings, we will continue with our initiatives to develop environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient homes.

The Greater KL MRT project when completed will help to improve connectivity which will also have a positive impact for the property sector. All in all, we're optimistic that this budget will generate a feel-good factor among house buyers and investors, and this will certainly augur well for the industry.”

Land & General Berhad’s Managing Director
Mr Low Gay Teck

“The Budget is not very exciting in terms of property-related measures except for the waiver of 50% stamp duty for first-time disposals. We expected the stamp duty to be waived across the board. There are no measures to promote more sales but at the same time, there are also no measures to curb sales. ”

DTZ Nawawi Tie Leung Property Consultants Sdn Bhd’s Executive Director
Mr Brian Koh

• A mixed development project including affordable houses to be developed at a cost of RM10 billion in Sungai Buloh and is expected to be completed by 2025. 
Excellent, make sure that there are lots of affordable homes – not just low but also medium cost, and critically linked by MRT

• Another landmark project "Warisan Merdeka" which includes a 100-storey tower, the tallest in Malaysia, at a cost of RM5 billion to be completed by 2015. 
Do we want to follow Dubai’s approach here? At RM50,000 per unit, we can build 100,000 affordable homes to house 500,000 persons We certainly do not need more offices to attract FDIs, or be another high tower type of tourist attraction.

• Development of the world's first integrated eco-nature resort at a cost of RM3 billion by Nexus Karambunai in Sabah to commence next year.
Well, a very expensive eco-resort indeed. My concept of an eco resort should read low impact, and sustainable traffic, so I am a sceptic on this. This budget seems more like for an IR ala spore.

• Extension of services of Pegawai Khidmat Singkat for an additional period of one year from December 2010. 
Should have private sector to do this job rather than the public sector, as we already have a bloatted public sector

• Allowing flexibility to self-determine fully-paid maternity leave not exceeding 90 days from the current 60 days subject to a total of 300 days of maternity leave throughout the tenure of service.

Should spend the money in providing more caches at workplace instead.

• Introduction of "Skim Rumah Pertamaku" which will provide a guarantee on down payment of 10 percent for houses below RM220,000 for first-time house buyers.

Great, but not likely to help if prices are too high!

• Construction and repair of 12,000 houses nationwide particularly in Sabah and Sarawak with an allocation of RM300 million.

Great, make sure the contractors are qualified!

• Establishment of a "1Malaysia Smart Consumer" portal.

Should give the money as grant to the Consumer Association of Penang instead as they are doing a good job.