More than 500 non-bumi owners in Taman Amansiara, Rawang, had unknowingly bought units meant for bumiputra from the developer. — Filepic
Selangor government may hold the board of directors (BOD) of a defunct developer responsible for selling bumiputra units to non-bumiputra buyers in Rawang.
The liquidator has been given three months to identify the former directors and compile records of outstanding debts and unclaimed payments, said Taman Templer assemblyman Anfaal Saari.
A total of 574 homeowners in Taman Amansiara, who had unknowingly bought bumiputra- designated units, have been unable to obtain their strata titles as they were told to pay hefty penalties.
The amount, totalling RM7.89mil, is equivalent to the 7% bumiputra discount on the purchase price of the units.
Anfaal said during a recent meeting, Selangor housing and culture committee chairman Datuk Borhan Aman Shah had instructed the liquidator to carry out the actions against the former directors.
“The next step is to determine the appropriate legal recourse, whether through a letter of demand or legal action against the former directors,” she told StarMetro.
Anfaal: Next step is determining the appropriate legal recourse.
Anfaal said while the company and its directors were legally separate entities, former directors often formed new companies to avoid accountability.
“We do not want to see this modus operandi repeated.”
She added that Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS) would review the liquidator’s actions before any decision was made.
“One of the suggestions is to seek state executive council approval to waive the 7% penalty imposed on homeowners.”
Anfaal said efforts were being made to find a solution that maintained adherence to state housing policy while also protecting the rights of homeowners.
The meeting also involved the liquidator, land office representatives and Taman Amansiara Joint Management Body (JMB).
In 2023, buyers received a notice from the liquidator that they had been sold units meant for bumiputra.
The liquidator found that about 90% of units were sold to non-bumiputra buyers.
Taman Amansiara JMB president Susan Lawrence said the buyers hoped for a favourable outcome.
“I don’t understand why owners are unfairly being asked to pay the 7% penalty when we bought the units at full price without receiving any discount,” said Lawrence, who is one of the affected owners.
StarMetro had previously reported that Selangor government had waived RM15.32mil in penalty fees for 207 non-bumiputra homeowners in USJ One Park, Subang Jaya.
Under the policy, developers are required to set aside a percentage of available units in a scheme for purchase by bumiputra buyers.
Selangor enforces a 40% bumiputra quota, together with a 7% discount.
There is a strict mechanism that housing developers must adhere to before the units can be sold to non-bumiputra buyers.
