About Malaysia

Malaysia’s cooperative movement has a rich history and plays a significant role in various sectors, including housing. Here’s an overview of the historical and current state of cooperative housing and the broader cooperative movement in the country.

Cooperative Housing in Malaysia

Historical Background

Cooperative housing in Malaysia began in the mid-20th century, with the first housing cooperatives registered in 1949. By 1957, there were 30 housing cooperatives, increasing to 66 by 1967. This growth was supported by government initiatives aimed at providing affordable housing through cooperative models.(builtsurvey.utm.my)

Current Landscape

Today, housing cooperatives continue to offer affordable housing solutions, especially for low- and middle-income groups. However, their impact remains limited due to challenges such as high development costs, limited access to financing, and land acquisition issues. Many cooperatives prefer to subdivide land and sell plots to members rather than undertake full-scale housing developments.(mjcs-ikma.com)

The Malaysian government continues to tackle housing affordability and improve living conditions through targeted policies. Central to this effort is the National Housing Policy (2018–2025), which prioritizes the planning and development of affordable housing. Key initiatives like the People’s Housing Programme (PPR) aim to provide low-cost homes for low- and middle-income households.

However, persistent challenges remain. By mid-2023, only 50,036 units were available under the Rumah Selangorku scheme, falling short of the 83,603 units in demand. At the same time, more than 25,311 completed units remained unsold, highlighting regional oversupply and mismatch between supply and actual housing needs. (https://research.utm.my/newshub/malaysias-housing-challenges-and-progress-towards-affordability)

The Cooperative Movement in Malaysia

Historical Development

The cooperative movement in Malaysia dates back to 1922 with the enactment of the Co-operative Societies Enactment. The first registered cooperative was the Postal and Telecommunications Co-operative Thrift and Loan Society Ltd. Post-independence, the movement expanded significantly, with 2,243 cooperatives by 1957. In 1971, ANGKASA (National Cooperative Movement of Malaysia) was established as the apex body to represent and coordinate cooperatives nationwide. (skm.gov.my, coops4dev.coop, icaap.coop, ccr.ica.coop)

Current Status

As of recent data, Malaysia has over 14,600 registered cooperatives with more than 6 million members. These cooperatives operate across various sectors, including agriculture, finance, consumer services, and housing. The government continues to support the sector through policies and initiatives aimed at enhancing its contribution to socio-economic development. (voiceofasean.com)

For more information on housing cooperatives in Malaysia, you can read the presentation Housing Co-operatives in Malaysia by Mohamad Ali B Hasan, Vice President, Angkasa.

Resources Tagged "Malaysia"

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