Kota Kinabalu: Sabahans who are unable to secure housing loans through conventional banking channels have been encouraged to apply for the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme (SJKP), a Federal Government-backed scheme aimed at expanding access to home ownership.
Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) president Datuk Johnny Wong Chen Yee said the scheme benefits applicants with irregular incomes, including small business owners, self-employed individuals and gig economy workers who may not meet conventional lending requirements.
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Speaking during the 25th PropEX 2026 here, he said SJKP provides government-backed loan guarantees that enable participating banks to offer financing to eligible applicants, adding that more than 2,100 affordable homes priced between RM272,000 and RM400,000 were showcased at the exhibition.
Johnny said awareness of the scheme in Sabah remained low despite growing uptake, with SJKP recording 93 applications worth RM22.49 million in 2022, rising to 643 applications worth RM181.99 million in 2023 and 930 applications worth RM268.22 million in 2024.
He said the scheme received 725 applications involving properties valued at RM209.86 million in 2025, while 284 applications worth RM91.95 million were recorded between January and May this year, bringing the total from 2022 to May 2026 to 2,685 applications valued at RM774.51 million.
Johnny said more than 10 commercial banks had agreed to participate in the scheme, with CIMB and Public Bank expected to formally join next year, while he also urged SJKP to establish a branch office in Sabah to improve access to information and assistance.
He said the Madani Government has allocated RM20 billion for SJKP nationwide this year, but Sabah has yet to utilise RM1 billion of the available financing, adding that greater participation would strengthen the case for increased allocations for the State ahead of the tabling of the 2027 National Budget.
