IPOH: A Bill to amend the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act to impose stiffer penalties on errant property developers is expected to be tabled in Parliament next year, says Nga Kor Ming.
The Housing and Local Government Minister said the ministry and National Housing Department were now conducting engagement sessions with all relevant stakeholders on the matter.
“We are a government for all. We have a ‘three open’ policy – open door, open mind and open heart – and will listen first from the stakeholders and homebuyers before we decide on anything,” he said at a press conference after witnessing the handover of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Perak Housing and Real Estate Board chief executive officer Mohamed Akmal Dahalan and National Housing Department director-general Datuk KN Jayaselan at Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad’s office here yesterday.
The MOU was signed to resolve abandoned housing projects in the state.
“We will then conduct studies and I hope to table the amendment in Parliament next year,” he said.
Nga said some 663 abandoned housing projects in the country worth about RM57bil had been rescued in the last two years.
“About 64,000 homebuyers have received their keys and are staying in their new homes.
“This year, the Federal Government has allocated RM14mil more to rescue more abandoned projects that can be saved,” he said.
He also said that RM1bil had been allocated to a “guarantee loan” fund for developers or contractors to complete their housing projects.
“Previously, developers cannot get loan to rescue projects, but now they can apply for it from banks to complete their projects.
“Rescue contractor can be appointed, with the guarantee funds, to have sufficient cash flow to complete the projects,” he added.
Meanwhile, Saarani, who witnessed the handover ceremony, said the MOU would focus on three aspects, including monitoring closely on projects deemed to have problems; collection of comprehensive and technical information; and systematically rejuvenating abandoned housing projects.
“We need to take into consideration the grouses of the people who are paying housing loan instalments but not getting their keys and are suffering.
“We are taking the initiative to resolve the problem,” he added.
Saarani said 58 housing projects had been identified as abandoned projects in the state, which involved about 4,000 units of homes as of May 31 this year.He said five of these abandoned projects had been listed to have actions taken first.
They included private projects such as D’Aman Residensi Meru Raya here, Taman Tapah Permai in Tapah, Taman Cempaka 2 in Manjung, Taman Seri Emas in Kampar and Taman Limau Emas in Beruas.
“For the D’Aman Residensi project, it will continue by the end of this month and is targeted to get its certificate of completion and compliance by the end of the year,” he said, adding that other projects were being planned.
