KUCHING: Sarawak is working on getting modular housing operators in China to set up factories in the state to help halt the spiralling rise in cost of houses.

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) chairman Datuk Dr Abang Abdul Rauf Zain said during a recent study tour to Guangzhou and Tianjin, the Sarawak delegation, led by Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, believed the Chinese-made housing system could be adapted by the state government and private sector to meet demand for affordable houses.

Dr Abang Rauf said the Chinese-built houses had been exported to 80 countries, but the operators had no experience in expanding their business to Malaysia.

“We are very concerned with the increasing cost of low cost housing. We need cheap but quality houses, so we need to learn from other people who have been able to provide the best housing,” he told reporters after paying a courtesy call on the Chinese Consulate General in Kuching, Liu Quan, here yesterday.

However, he said the owners of these factories in China seemed only keen to export their houses to Malaysia.
“We can’t do that because the cost of transportation is very high. So we suggested to them to relocate their factories to Sarawak by convincing them that if we have the volume then we can reduce the price. What we want to focus on is low cost houses.”

In the next six years, Sarawak plans to build some 50,000 units of low and medium cost houses in major towns and cities to address the needs of squatters, rural-urban migrants and young graduates.

Dr Abang Rauf believed if the modular housing system could be adapted here, Sarawak would be able to meet increasing demand for houses.

“Based on the modular housing system, housing parts will be mass produced at the factory and this will make it much cheaper while retaining the quality.”

Dr Abang Rauf also believed the state could be turned into a hub of sorts if the project was successful as there was great demand for housing in the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines-Economic Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Meanwhile, Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg said mainland Chinese investors had shown a keen interest to invest in other economic sectors in Sarawak.

A Chinese trade delegation would be visiting the state after Hari Raya Aidilfitri to vet investment opportunities, including in the housing sector.

“If they want to operate in Sarawak, they can expand their business venture to other Asean countries.”