Johor bahru: The Johor election, expected to be held on July 11, 2026, is unlikely to affect the state's property market, although home sales may temporarily slow in the weeks leading up to polling day, according to international real estate technology group Juwai IQI.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Juwai IQI co-founder and group chief executive officer Kashif Ansari stated that home sales and transaction values in Johor rose by more than 25 per cent in 2022, when Malaysia held both the Johor state election and the general election, supported by the reopening of the Singapore border that year. Ansari noted that in 2022, Johor held a state election in March, followed by the general election in November, which makes it a close comparison with what the state faces in 2026.
Ansari highlighted that the property market functioned normally despite the two elections, with the number of homes sold in Johor rising by about a quarter and the total value of transactions increasing by nearly 30 per cent. "Malaysia also held a general election in 2013, and the number of homes sold in Johor rose by about 16 per cent, according to the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC), even as transactions declined nationwide," he said, emphasizing that Johor's housing demand remained resilient even during an election year when the national market was weak.
He further explained that some buyers might delay their purchases until after the state election, resulting in fewer transactions during the current quarter. However, he expected those buyers to return to the market post-election, compensating for any temporary slowdowns. Ansari expressed confidence that over the full year, the election would have little impact on the number of homes sold in Johor.
More significant than the election, Ansari pointed out, will be the opening of the Singapore Rapid Transit System Link later this year and the growth generated by the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone. These initiatives are expected to be transformative for Johor's economy and property market, providing opportunities to raise household incomes and make home ownership more affordable for Johoreans.