Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman wants more affordable housing to be built in Sabah.

He said the escalating cost of housing is becoming increasingly burdensome to the people.

Musa who is also Finance Minister said the cost of housing in Sabah was so high that in some instances the prices surpassed those in Kuala Lumpur.

"The people are not happy because it is increasingly difficult for them to own a house," he said during a courtesy call by committee members of Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developer Association (SHAREDA) led by their president, Chew Sang Hai at Sri Gaya here yesterday.

He added that regardless of whether it was private or public housing development, the people would still blame the government for the rising cost

The Chief Minister, therefore, urged SHAREDA to play a more aggressive role to mitigate the rising cost of housing in the state.

"While I understand that developers need to make profits, they must also be reasonable and think of the plight of the people.

"If SHAREDA members were to initiate more affordable housing projects, it will assist the people in Sabah to own decent affordable homes," he said.

During the courtesy call, Chew on behalf of SHAREDA extended an invitation to Musa to launch the Sabah Property Exhibition and the CEO Roundtable Conference to be held on August 26.