Houses to cost more, say builders

Kota Kinabalu: House prices will go up with the price hike in fuel announced by the Prime Minister on Wednesday.

According to Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) President, Kong Kwok Wah, the housing industry would be affected badly.

The impact would particularly be on the cost of carrying out projects, he said.

"For instance, in site clearing you have to use machinery which needs lots of diesel."

"Transportation will go up and other things will inevitably follow. Can't be helped. The price is beyond our control. It's a universal thing. And the Government has made the decision."

He said the challenge now was on how to keep costs down.

"We will have to be more efficient - we have to strike a balance between cutting costs without compromising on standard.

He said some housing projects already in the pipeline might be shelved for the time being.

"We are not in a hurry, we will wait for a positive sign," he said.

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