Announcing this, Friday, Deputy Chief Minister II cum Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam said this is to ensure that the 30pc Bumi quota policy brings maximum benefit to Bumi buyers.  

He highlighted several amendments to the policy as follows: 

The 30pc Bumi quota remains unchanged, requiring private housing developers to allocate 30pc of the total housing units to Bumi buyers with the right to select their preferred house lots. 

This means Bumi buyers are entitled to choose the house lot they want, and developers are no longer allowed to determine which lots are designated for Bumi buyers, as practised previously. 

To simplify property transactions among Bumi house buyers, where starting from the enforcement date of this new policy, the previous restriction on reselling Bumi-allocated house lots has been abolished. 

This means Bumi buyers can resell the houses allocated under the 30pc Bumi quota to any buyer without restrictions. For Bumi-owned house lots with land titles issued before the enforcement date that contain resale restrictions, homeowners can apply to the Lands and Surveys Department (JTU) to remove such restrictions following the department’s standard operating procedures (SOPs).  

Any discounts or rebates offered by developers to non-Bumi buyers must be added to the existing 5pc discount provided to Bumi buyers. 

For instance, if non-Bumi buyers are given a 15pc discount or rebate, private housing developers must ensure Bumi buyers receive a 20pc discount.Dr Joachim said this new policy aligns with the State Government’s efforts to reduce bureaucracy in property transactions for Bumi buyers.  

“The Government also believes that with this new policy, the market value of Bumi-owned house lots will achieve parity with those owned by non-Bumiputra groups,” he said.  

The Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) President Datuk Sr Chua Soon Ping said it is a historic and progressive move that opens up new opportunities for Bumis to actively participate in the property market.

“We are especially pleased to see the successful realisation of a key proposal that Shareda has been advocating the last two years.

“The decision to remove the resale restrictions and allow Bumi buyers to resell their houses at any time, without a holding period, is a major step in empowering property owners. 

“This change will significantly enhance the liquidity of the property market, giving Bumi buyers more flexibility and the opportunity to reap the full potential of their property investments.

“We are proud that Sabah is the first state in Malaysia to implement such a transformative policy.  

“This pioneering move sets a valuable precedent for other states, demonstrating Sabah’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and dynamic property market for all,” he said.

Chua said the timing is particularly significant with the launch of the Sabah Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme next year.  

Enabling Bumi buyers to freely resell their houses would allow them to take full advantage of property gains, further boosting the market’s attractiveness to both local and foreign investors.  

“This, in turn, will generate more capital flow into the state, providing a boost to the economy and encouraging the growth of related industries.

“This policy is expected to stimulate an increase in property transactions, which will not only benefit the property sector but also have a ripple effect on other industries.  

“As more investments flow into Sabah, sectors such as tourism, hospitality, retail, and F&B will see a surge in demand.  Cafes, restaurants, hotels, and other businesses will experience increased patronage, creating more job opportunities and fostering economic growth across multiple sectors,” he said.

Another important aspect is the potential to improve the accessibility of homeownership for Bumi buyers, who now have more options and flexibility in choosing homes that meet their personal needs and financial capacity.

“This could help alleviate some of the challenges faced by Bumi buyers, particularly in urban areas, by providing them with better opportunities for long-term property ownership.

“The improvements to the 30 percent Bumi quota, which ensures its application to all residential properties – whether landed or high-rise – further ensure that Bumi buyers will have greater choices and control over their property investments.  

“The abolition of designated house lots for Bumis grants homebuyers the flexibility to select properties that best suit their preferences and needs,” he added.

Starting Dec. 1, Bumi buyers may apply directly to the Lands and Surveys Department to have the Bumi restrictions removed from their property, without the need to refer to the Ministry of Local Government And Housing.

This simplifies the process and enhances the ease of property transactions for Bumi buyers.  

However, the policy would not affect existing native titles, ensuring that the legal rights of native landowners are fully preserved.