MORE education and tax incentives are needed if the Government wants to convince all developers in the country to go green with their buildings.
International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) Malaysia Penang branch chairman Daisy Ooi said the current tax incentives by the government were insufficient to encourage the developers and other industry players.
“More can be done to encourage everyone to construct or reside in property which comply with the Green Building Index (GBI), including having a hire purchase system for the installation of solar panels and LEDs (light emitting diode). Such items are presently expensive,” she said.
Ooi made the comment after a talk entitled ‘Green Building-Benefits and Tax incentives’ organised by FIABCI-Malaysia Penang branch on Saturday.
The talk featured architect Chan Seong Aun, the co-chairman of Malaysia Institute of Architects sustainable committee.
The committee was instrumental in coming out with the GBI for the property industry.
The index was launched in 2009, and is now adopted by many authorities to rate buildings in the country on its energy efficiency and greenery sustainable effort.
Chan said: “Laws and regulations are important to control energy efficiency in buildings.
“More laws can be amended to overcome the energy inefficiency of most buildings.”
