Yang Berhormat Datuk Teo Chee Kang, Minister of Special Task for Sabah Chief Minister's Department announced a new procedure to speed up says development plan approval adding that delay in the issuance of strata or subsidiary titles were due to land use conversion issues. He said this during the opening speech of the 5th Sabah International Surveyors' Congress 2017 on 21 August.

"I was entrusted by the State Government to spearhead a special working committee to look into ways to address the problem of delay in the issuance of strata titles or subsidiary titles, to revamp and improve the existing legislation to enhance the effectiveness of the management corporations.

"I am pleased to announce that we have successfully completed the first phase of our work, that is to introduce a new procedure for the approval of development plans… Such new directive started to take effect on 1 June 2017" Datuk Teo said.

The Working Committee, according to Datuk Teo will be moving to the second phase which is to deliberate on an effective management and administrative system of the Management Corporation.

"The Working Committee hopes to find practical and effective solutions to the many perennial and challenging concerns, from both the property owners as well as from the property managers, in the challenging aspects of day-to-day property management and maintaining a pleasant ambience conducive to communal living. To achieve this, we are looking into a revamp on the statutory provisions in the land (subsidiary title) Enactment 1972" adds Datuk Teo.

Datuk Teo also commented on the concern of housing for the lower-income groups saying young working couples find it increasingly difficult to own a house or an apartment.

"I encourage all the players in the property and construction industry to work together to find breakthrough solutions to enhance the housing supply chain and the delivery system and to lower the cost of construction so that the lower-income earners may have the opportunity to invest and own a decent shelter over their head.

"The government, of course, will render its best endeavour to assist in the construction and supply of more affordable housing. Perhaps, RISM Sabah Branch, being the expert in land administration and development planning can take up the formidable challenge to formulate a sustainable affordable housing policy for Sabah, so that the government can implement a more efficient and effective housing policy looking after the housing needs of the people in Sabah" Datuk Teo opined.