Kuala lumpur: A study by the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) has found no evidence of anti-competitive practices involving housing prices or residential property packages in the housing market, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh stated that, beyond various studies and monitoring exercises conducted by MyCC, the commission has also not received any specific complaints regarding anti-competitive practices linked to house prices.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Malaysia House Price Index 2025, published by the National Property Information Centre, recorded moderate and sustained growth throughout 2025. After reaching a growth rate of 4.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024, the rate gradually eased to 3.5 percent in the first quarter of 2025, subsequently falling to its lowest level in the fourth quarter of 2025. This trend indicates that housing market prices have generally remained stable.
Fuziah further elaborated that MyCC has conducted several studies to ascertain the presence of anti-competitive elements within the housing sector and the construction material supply chain that could influence house prices. These initiatives included investigations involving sand operators in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, and a market review of construction materials covering four key products: steel, cement, ready-mixed concrete, and sand.
The review of cement prices was highlighted as essential since cement significantly contributes to construction costs and, consequently, housing prices. The findings revealed that increases in cement prices were due to higher raw material costs, particularly coal, and rising production expenses, including energy and fuel costs, and logistics and transportation costs linked to geographical factors and plant locations.
Additionally, Fuziah mentioned that MyCC monitors government procurement processes to detect possible bid-rigging activities, including those related to the housing sector. However, no investigations involving government housing projects have been initiated to date. She also indicated that the ministry would consider Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Abd Muttalib's proposal to establish a more accessible public reporting mechanism for homebuyers to lodge complaints about suspicious practices or sales pressure exerted by property agents and developers.