From Burden To Asset: Tackle Abandoned Buildings, Say Experts

Barnama

12-06-2025

R
esembling haunted houses from horror films, abandoned buildings — from stalled projects to neglected heritage sites — are a familiar sight across Malaysia.
Overrun by thick bushes — with some even sprouting trees from within — these abandoned buildings are more than just eyesores. They pose serious risks to nearby communities, serving as breeding grounds for diseases like dengue and attracting dangerous animals such as snakes.
Additionally, such buildings may become hotspots for immoral activities or drug abuse.
Describing the issue as long-standing, experts believe it is time to resolve the problem, especially as Malaysia actively prepares for the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign.
EYE-SORE AND HAZARD
Sharing her view, Associate Professor Dr Norwati Jamaluddin from the Department of Civil Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), said abandoned buildings — whether unfinished development projects or heritage sites — should not be left to deteriorate.
She noted that these neglected structures pose safety risks to the community and spoil the visual appeal of their surroundings.
'Besides their dilapidated appearance, abandoned premises often create hazardous environments, with risks such as collapsing structures due to lack of maintenance.
'They also tend to attract irresponsible individuals who engage in immoral activities such as vandalism, drug use, and other crimes, leading to public unrest in the area,' she told Bernama.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, was previously reported as saying that a total of 48 abandoned premises and buildings had been identified around the capital as of Feb 20 this year.
She said that, according to the latest records from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), 25 of them were residential buildings, while the remaining 23 were commercial premises.
She added that abandoned buildings are not limited to suburban areas but are also found in high-value commercial areas in the city centre, such as Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Pudu, and Jalan Gombak.
'On Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah (Jalan Ipoh), several commercial residential units have been abandoned, reflecting urban decline or stalled development. Similarly, on Lorong Tiong Nam, many old, rundown shop lots are in poor condition,' she was quoted as saying.
According to the National Housing Department, as of May 31, there are 17 static-category abandoned private housing projects nationwide — some dating back to 1989.
The department also noted that 45 other projects are in the process of being revived.
Apart from private commercial and residential properties, abandoned government-owned premises also contribute to the problem — such as the heritage-status Federal Court building opposite Dataran Merdeka, reported to be abandoned in January.
Similarly, the state government office complex on Jalan Changkat Jong in Teluk Intan, Perak — once a bustling centre for official affairs — now stands unused.
ECONOMIC VALUE
Norwati stressed that abandoned properties drag down surrounding property values and can become an economic burden for agencies, including local authorities.
'Foreign journal reports show that such abandoned properties can reduce the value of surrounding real estate by 6.5 per cent to 20 per cent.
'They also burden local councils through lost tax revenue and increased maintenance, restoration, and enforcement costs,' she added.
She also linked abandoned buildings to the Broken Windows Theory, which suggests that visible neglect signals deeper, systemic problems if left unresolved.
'For example, if a structure continues to deteriorate, it could lead to higher losses down the line, especially if it requires complete reconstruction.
'Even if most of these buildings are privately owned, the government's image still suffers due to perceived poor management,' she said, adding that the government should assess whether to reuse, demolish, or rebuild on such sites.
GROWING CONCERN
Meanwhile, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), Ar Nasrudin Sharkawi, said the glut of abandoned buildings raises concerns over urban planning, property values, and sustainability in the construction sector.
He acknowledged that such stalled projects reflect failures in coordination and implementation within Malaysia's construction industry.
'There are several contributing factors — including impractical designs that ignore local context, resulting in projects failing to attract buyers or tenants even after completion.
He added that there could also be issues of non-transparency or weaknesses in project management by developers, including financial problems, labour shortages, internal conflicts among contractors, or failure to obtain technical approval from local authorities (PBT).
He also noted that delayed or cancelled funding — particularly for government projects — can leave structures partially built and abandoned.
If such projects are later resumed, the cost of completing them is often higher than the original budget due to additional expenses such as repairing damage, vandalism, or theft at unmonitored sites.
'In a free market context, many commercial and luxury residential developments are planned without considering actual market demand, leading to oversupply. When investors fail to see returns, buildings are left empty and, over time, become derelict,' he added.
Heritage buildings, he said, face similar issues — caught between preservation and adapting to modern uses.
'This indirectly leads to an oversupply of units that remain unsold or unleased. When investors fail to obtain the expected returns, the buildings are left vacant — and if they continue to be neglected over time without any maintenance, they eventually become abandoned structures, contributing to the physical deterioration of the surrounding environment,' he said.
He added that similar issues also affect heritage buildings, which are caught between the need to preserve their historical value and the challenge of adapting them for modern use.
In many cases, he noted, efforts to restore such buildings are hampered by various problems, including legal constraints, overly strict conservation guidelines, and a lack of appropriate incentives for building owners.
'Preservation efforts often face legal, bureaucratic, or financial obstacles. Strict conservation guidelines and lack of suitable incentives make it difficult for owners to rehabilitate these structures,' he said.
A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION
Nasrudin called for an integrated, holistic approach from relevant agencies to address the root causes of abandoned buildings.
He urged the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), state governments, and local authorities to collaborate on a centralised database listing all abandoned buildings and stalled projects.
This database should be regularly updated and made accessible to relevant agencies for planning and redevelopment purposes.
'A full audit of each building should also be conducted — assessing the extent of damage, ownership status, and potential for adaptive reuse. Buildings should be categorised for repair, reuse, or controlled demolition,' he said.
He also recommended a review of strata ownership and inheritance laws, particularly for buildings owned by multiple parties, which often hinder restoration efforts.
State governments, he added, could offer tax incentives, development charge exemptions, or low-interest loans to owners or investors looking to revive abandoned buildings. Public-private partnerships could also be pursued for strategic redevelopment.
KPKT is encouraged to draft a national policy promoting the reuse of old or government-owned buildings for new purposes, such as co-working spaces, community centres, cultural venues, or other suitable uses.
This aligns with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's proposal to review all unused spaces and buildings owned by government agencies, government-linked investment companies (GLICs), and government-linked companies (GLCs) for potential repurposing.
Anwar previously suggested that vacant properties — including former teachers' quarters and abandoned housing — could be redeveloped as shelters for the homeless and hardcore poor.
Nasrudin also suggested that local councils could impose penalties on owners who leave buildings abandoned and hazardous to public safety.
'Owners must understand that neglecting buildings for too long negatively affects property value, public safety, and the image of the area.
'In the meantime, interim use can be considered — such as leasing the space temporarily for storage, pop-up shops, art studios, or exhibitions. This could help curb the spread of abandonment,' he added.
-- BERNAMA