Kuala Lumpur (Jan 8) - Johor has positioned itself among the top-performing states in Malaysia’s property market, registering strong results in both transaction volume and overall value. Sabah, meanwhile, has shown notable progress across the residential, commercial and industrial property segments.
According to Rahim & Co International Property Consultants Sdn Bhd director of research and consultancy services, Sulaiman Saheh, Johor’s momentum has been underpinned by steady investment inflows and ongoing infrastructure projects, including the expected impact of the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS).
He noted that Sabah’s property market has also improved, with higher total transaction values reflecting increased overall prices of properties being traded. However, the growth pattern varies by location, highlighting a widening gap between established urban and economic centres and less-developed areas. Sulaiman shared these observations during the Rahim & Co Property Market Review 2025/2026 presentation.
In contrast, residential transaction volumes in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang eased slightly after reaching a peak in 2024.
On affordable housing, Sulaiman said growth has slowed in tandem with the stabilisation of house prices over the past two years. Developers, he added, are introducing more units, particularly in the higher price range of about RM500,000 to RM1 million, even as affordability remains a key concern for Malaysians.
He also highlighted that the number of unsold completed properties rose over the past year to 49,198 units, mainly involving residential and service apartments in Johor classified as dual units. Despite this, Johor and Kuala Lumpur recorded slight reductions in unsold stock, while Selangor saw little change.
Importantly, Sulaiman pointed out that the overhang is not limited to high-end homes, with many unsold units priced below RM1 million, including those under RM500,000, due to factors such as pricing, location, product mismatch and buyer income limitations.
For Sabahans, the improvement across multiple property segments signals expanding development activity and investment interest in the state, though uneven growth between urban and rural areas continues to influence housing accessibility and economic opportunities.