DEVELOPERS may only release the reserved lots for bumiputras in housing projects once they have obtained the Certificate of Completion and Compliance.
State Housing committee chairman Datuk Saarani Mohamad (BN-Kota Tampan) said during the earlier stage, only 50% of the units set aside for bumiputras would be released once construction of the housing project is 70% completed.
“This is done in stages because we believe in being fair to the buyers.
“Many unexpected situations can occur in housing projects, so it is safer for the buyers if we only release all of the units once they are fully completed,” he said when responding to a question raised by Leong Cheok Keng (DAP-Malim Nawar).
Leong had asked for the reason behind the bumiputra reserved lots being released in stages instead of all at one go.
Saarani Mohamad also explained that developers need to show proof that their efforts to reach out to bumiputra buyers have been unsuccessful.
“They may apply to remove the bumiputra quota at the Land and Mines Office six months after the date of their first advertisement appeared in Malay newspapers.
“They need to use an advertisement space the size of half an A4 paper in the papers, including the Sunday editions,” he said.
Saarani Mohamad added that developers also need to include proof of their advertisements that have been aired for at least five days on Malay radio stations, which means around 30 airing times during peak hours.
“In addition, they are required to submit all information on the sale of the housing units, such as list of buyers and date of transactions.
“Once the office has accepted that the efforts are unsuccessful in selling off the bumiputra reserved lots, the application to remove the quota will then be forwarded to the state executive council for approval,” he said.
To a question raised by Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (DAP-Sitiawan), Saarani Mohamad pointed out that the number of units set aside for bumiputra buyers in housing projects are not capped at 40% all the time.
“Although that is the standard percentage, bumiputra reserved lots are ultimately decided based on the demand in different locations.
“If the housing project is built in an area where more non-bumiputras are located, we will set aside a smaller number of units, and it is the other way around for areas with more bumiputra residents. The ratio is flexible.”
Ngeh had said if there were not enough bumiputra buyers snapping up the reserved lots, this could cause a cash flow problem.
He asked if the state government was aware of this, and whether it had any plans to resolve the matter.
