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The image shows a striking example of abandoned housing, where time, neglect, and weather have left deep scars. Cracked walls reveal red bricks beneath peeling gray plaster, while broken wooden windows and a sagging roof tell stories of forgotten lives. A white door hangs loosely, surrounded by overgrown grass and moss-covered concrete. Nearby, a rusty bin and a faded yellow barrel sit untouched, adding to the sense of decay. With muted tones of brown, gray, and green, this abandoned housing scene captures the haunting beauty of neglect — a once-lived space now reclaimed by nature and silence.


For most Malaysians, buying a home is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone — often funded through decades of savings and a long-term mortgage. But for thousands of homebuyers, this dream has turned into a nightmare. They are paying for homes they may never step foot in, trapped in a cycle of uncertainty caused by abandoned housing projects.

Abandoned housing projects occur when developers fail to complete construction, leaving half-built homes to deteriorate over time.

This issue isn’t new, but it continues to plague the property sector, hurting not just homebuyers but also developers, financiers, and Malaysia’s housing market as a whole.

What Counts as Abandoned Housing?

In Malaysia, a housing project is officially declared abandoned when:

  • Project fails to be completed within the agreed timeline as per Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA),

  • Work has stopped for more than six consecutive months,

  • The developer is unable to proceed due to winding-up proceedings, and

According to the Ministry of Local Government Development (KPKT), as of October 2024:

  • 113 projects were classified as abandoned,

  • 212 projects delayed,

  • 382 projects labelled “sick” (significantly behind schedule).

In total, this represents 29,511 housing units and affects over 16,000 buyers nationwide, with a gross development value (GDV) of RM113.25 billion. 

Why Do Housing Projects Get Abandoned?



The reasons are complex, but several recurring themes emerge:

  • Developer Mismanagement – Weak financial planning, lack of feasibility studies, or poor project execution often leave developers unable to deliver.


  • Cash Flow Problems – Rising construction costs, insufficient sales, or over-reliance on buyer progress payments (under the Sell-Then-Build model).


  • Regulatory and Enforcement Gaps – Not all developers are strictly monitored, allowing poorly capitalised projects to launch.


  • Poor Market Planning – Projects launched without studying demand and pricing may struggle to attract buyers.


  • Economic Shocks – External crises, such as the unexpected pandemic, and other economic slowdown have also caused significant delays and abandonment.


At its core, abandoned housing reflects underlying challenges in Malaysia’s housing delivery system.

The Human Cost of Abandoned Housing

The image captures a man sitting alone on a metal bench, his face buried in his hands — a powerful display of emotional distress. His slumped posture and tightly clasped fingers convey feelings of despair, frustration, and hopelessness. The neutral, gray background and harsh lighting add to the somber tone, emphasizing the depth of his struggle. This scene reflects the human side of abandoned housing, portraying the mental and emotional toll it takes on affected homeowners. The image powerfully illustrates how financial loss and uncertainty from abandoned projects can lead to deep emotional distress and personal suffering.
Credit : Waewkidja

Behind the statistics are thousands of families stuck in limbo:

  • Double Financial Burden – Buyers must keep paying their mortgage while also paying rent for a place to live.


  • Bankruptcy Risk – Some buyers cannot cope with dual commitments, leading to default.


  • Emotional Stress – Families are left uncertain about when — or if — they will ever get their keys.


  • Trust Deficit – The wider public grows more sceptical of developers, particularly in high-risk areas.

These struggles illustrate why abandoned housing is not just a technical or legal issue but a human crisis.

Wider Impacts on Malaysia’s Property Market

Abandoned housing doesn’t just hurt individual buyers — it affects the entire ecosystem:

  • Oversupply of Unfinished Units – Adds to the property overhang problem.


  • Erosion of Buyer Confidence – Potential buyers may hesitate to purchase under-construction homes.


  • Financial Strain on Banks – Institutions holding mortgages for abandoned units face higher risks of non-performing loans.

  • Urban Blight – Half-built projects lower the appeal of surrounding neighbourhoods and attract vandalism or safety hazards.

These ripple effects show how abandoned housing weakens Malaysia’s property market stability.

(Find out more about property valuation here)

What Is Being Done?

The government has long recognised the seriousness of abandoned housing. Some key efforts include:

  • Task Force on Sick and Abandoned Private Housing Projects (TFST) – Established to identify, monitor, and attempt rehabilitation of stalled projects.


  • Revival Efforts – In some cases, new developers are brought in to complete projects, though this often involves redesign or reduced quality.


  • Policy Debates – Calls for reforms to prevent future abandonment, including tighter licensing requirements for developers and mandatory feasibility studies.


  • Build-Then-Sell (BTS) Model – Proposed as an alternative to the current Sell-Then-Build (STB) model. Under BTS, developers can only sell homes once construction is complete, reducing buyer risk but raising questions about cost and feasibility. ( Read more about BTS Model here )


Criticisms and Challenges

The image shows the skeletal remains of an abandoned housing project — a half-built concrete structure overtaken by nature. Tall grass and small trees grow wildly around weathered pillars and unfinished beams, symbolizing years of neglect. Behind the ruins, partially completed homes with red roofs hint at development that never reached completion. This abandoned housing scene reflects decay and lost potential, where construction halted midway, leaving a ghostly frame standing against the backdrop of greenery and silence.
Credit: Prof Dr. Nuarrual Hilal Md. Dahlan ACIS (CS) (CGP), CC 

While progress is being made, solutions are not without problems:

  • Revival Is Costly and Slow – Many abandoned projects take years to restart, if at all.


  • Limited Funding – Rescue efforts often require significant financial support that is not always available.


  • Developer Resistance to BTS – Many argue that the model increases costs and reduces the number of new launches.


  • Buyer Protections Still Weak – Despite reforms, buyers still shoulder most of the risk under current laws.

Critics argue that without stronger enforcement, better financing safeguards, and stricter oversight, abandoned housing will remain a recurring issue.

How Can Buyers Protect Themselves?

While systemic reforms are needed, buyers can take steps to reduce their exposure:

  • Research the Developer – Check track record, financial stability, and past projects.


  • Understand the Contract – Know your rights under the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA).


  • Check Approvals – Ensure the project is properly licensed and approved by authorities.


  • Engage Independent Professionals – Valuers and lawyers can help spot red flags.


Vigilance at the buying stage may not eliminate risks, but it can make a big difference.


Final Thoughts

Abandoned housing remains one of Malaysia’s most painful property challenges — leaving tens of thousands of Malaysians waiting indefinitely for homes that may never arrive.

For buyers, it means broken dreams and heavy financial burdens. For the market, it means eroded trust and weakened confidence. For policymakers, it signals the urgent need for reform.

As Malaysia continues to urbanise, the lesson is clear: housing must be built on strong foundations of planning, regulation, and accountability — or risk leaving more families in limbo.

Real Estate Analyst, Research & Consultancy

Job Description:

This candidate would be positioned under the Research and Consultancy Department. He / She is expected to be a highly self-motivated individual, team player with excellent communication skills and actively participate in both departments and company’s discussions and events.

The candidate is expected to be involved in works ranging from the collection and analysing real estate transaction data, conducting market research and financial analysis, upkeep and upgrade of database from time to time, and producing market and feasibility reports and real estate publications. clients.

Responsibilities:

  • To gather, process and analyse real estate transaction data.
  • To undertake market research and conduct feasibility study through analysing demands, trends & pricing mechanism of various development components.
  • To be involved in undertaking market surveys and analyse data findings
  • Jointly ensure all data bank updated and well maintained.
  • To keep update on the relevant market updates relating to real estate industry and local economic performance.
  • To produce market insight and feasibility study reports and publications.

Requirements:

  • Candidate must possess at least Bachelor’s Degree/Post Graduate Diploma/Professional Degree in Real Estate Management or equivalent.
  • MUST be a team player with strong interpersonal skills and good working etiquette.
  • MUST be a team player with strong interpersonal skills and good working etiquette.
  • Strong numeric and analytic skills with attention to details
  • Candidate with real estate valuation experience is encouraged, fresh graduates are welcome to apply.
  • Possess own transport with a legitimate driving license, and willing to travel.

Salary Range:
RM 2,800 to RM 3,000

 

Kindly state your expected salary upon application. Salary negotiated and offered shall be based on candidates experience and capability.

 

Interested candidates are welcome to apply for this position. Kindly email your CV and expected salary

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Marketing Executive

Job Description:

This candidate would be positioned under the Research and Consultancy Department. He / She is expected to be a highly self-motivated individual, team player with excellent communication skills and actively participate in both departments and company’s discussions and events.

He / She is expected to have full knowledge and understanding of the way the Research and Consultancy Department works in order to relay the best impression of the department’s product and services to the prospect clients.

Marketing Executive:

  • Perform all marketing duties (prospect planning, marketing pitch presentation, and follow through marketing progress)
  • Assist HOD in preparation of marketing materials and kits relating to product and services provided by the department.
  • To identify and manage good rapport with relevant/potential JV partners for prospect client’s land bank future development.
  • To implement & execute all marketing strategies approved.
  • To organize, coordinate, follow up and monitor the prospect clients’ business growth and keeping good rapport with the prospect clients.
  • To understand and compile customers' feedback and requirements for future improvements of product & services offered.
  • To prepare monthly marketing progress report.

Requirements:

  • Candidate must possess at least Bachelor’s Degree/Post Graduate Diploma/Professional Degree in Business / Property Development/Real Estate Management or equivalent.
  • Must be a team player with strong analytical skills and good working etiquette
  • Natural communicator with excellent negotiation, persuasive and interpersonal skills at all levels as well as effective presentation skills.
  • Candidate with related work experience with good command of English is preferred. Proficiency in Mandarin is an added advantage.
  • Willing to travel and possess own transport.

Interested candidates are welcome to apply for this position. Kindly email your CV and expected salary

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REGISTERED VALUERS


Requirements

  • Candidate must possess at least a Professional Certificate in Property Development/Real Estate Management or equivalent.
  • Must have a registered license with the Board of Valuer, Appraisers and Real Estate Agents Malaysia which allows the candidate to practise as a Registered Valuer or Estate Agent.
  • At least 2 year(s) of working experience in the related field is required for this position.
  • Applicants must be willing to work in Kuala Lumpur/Melaka
  • Successful candidates will be offered an attractive remuneration package with incentive scheme and prospects of partnership in the company.
  • Applicants should be Malaysian citizens.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a detailed resume including personal details, qualification, working experience, present & expected salary, a recent passport-sized photograph and contact number either by mail, e-mail. Please click contact us button

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