JOHOR BARU: Johoreans lauded Budget 2017 for focusing on improving the standard of living by helping those looking to purchase their first houses.

Businessman Tan Jern Hsin, 27, who just got married last month, said that the announcement of a new step-up end-financing scheme for the 1Malaysia People’s Housing Programme was a good move.

“The scheme would help young people such as myself who are about to start a family to buy a house.

“The stamp duty exemption sweetens the deal, however, an addition of only 30,000 PR1MA units seems insufficient to cater to demand as many of my friends are also struggling to obtain a house under the programme,” he said.

Self-employed Norizan Nasiman, 33, is considering building a house next to his in-laws in Kampung Ulu Choh near Gelang Patah.

He said the land belonging to his in-laws was enough to build a single- storey house for his wife and four-year old daughter.

Nasiman said it was impossible to own a single-storey house in Iskandar Malaysia for less than 100,000.

“We have been looking to buy a house since we got married about three years ago but the prices are beyond our reach,” he said.

Nasiman added living next door to his in-laws was an advantage as his wife plans to go back to work once their daughter starts schooling.

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