Flats for Kg Baiduri residents
01/10/2001 NST
The long wait is finally over for 1,000 squatter families in Kampung Baiduri,
Petaling Jaya. They can now look forward to owning low-cost units in two years.
Govt to protect housebuyers - Amendments to be tabled in parliament on Oct
8 01/10/2001 The Sun
Petaling Jaya, Sun: The House Buyers Association (HBA) lauds the Housing and
Local Government Ministry's effort to address the various problems faced by
housebuyers because of errant developers. T
Majestic Heights buyers to fork out a few million RM 01/10/2001
The Star
THE 3,000-odd Majestic Heights apartment purchasers may have to fork out a
few million ringgit to revive the project as the developer has agreed in principle
to start winding up, state executive councillor Dr Loh Hock Hun said yesterday.
More public houses by 2005,
says Ong 02/10/2001 The Star
Public housing projects will be stepped up in the country with a view to overcoming
the squatter problem by 2005, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk
Seri Ong Ka Ting said yesterday.
Immunity sought
02/10/2001 NST
KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd (SPNB), a company wholly
owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated, wants to have an immunity scheme
to protect itself from legal action when reviving abandoned housing projects.
SPNB chairman Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said: "This scheme will ensure that
SPNB is not subjected to any legal action from creditors, developers, buyers
and others when the rehabilitation process is undertaken."
Housing board for Selangor
02/10/2001 NST-PROP
THE Selangor state government plans to set up a Real Estate and Housing Board
to act as a one-stop centre to take care of the state's housing and property-related
matters. An enactment will be tabled at the state assembly this month to facilitate
the move, which will make Selangor the first state to have such a body.
SPNB wants
legal immunity for reviving abandoned projects 02/10/2001
BT
SYARIKAT Perumahan Negara Bhd (SPNB), a company wholly owned by the Minister
of Finance Inc, wants to have an immunity scheme to protect itself from possible
legal action when reviving abandoned housing projects.
Address the loopholes in Housing
Act 03/10/2001 NST
The proposed new Housing Development Act has the following loopholes. Nowadays,
many developers do not allow purchasers to lodge a caveat when the sale and
purchase agreement is signed. This is unfair to the purchaser as he is unable
to stake a claim on the property if the developer fails to deliver.
Lower prices, Negeri Sembilan
MB urges developers 03/10/2001 The Star
THE Negri Sembilan Government wants developers to lower property prices as
there are unsold units worth over RM500mil in the state. Mentri Besar Tan
Sri Isa Abdul Samad said he had advised developers to drop prices to enable
them to sell their properties.
S'gor MB: Forget about
RM25,000 homes 03/10/2001 The Star
SQUATTERS and former estate workers in Selangor should forget about holding
out for low-cost houses at RM25,000 each or below, said Selangor Mentri Besar
Datuk Seri Dr Khir Mohd Toyo. ''Many representatives of these groups and even
non-governmental organisations had come to see me about housing for the squatters.
Stuck with loans, rental
03/10/2001 NST
HOUSE buyers of Phase Three in Bandar Rincing, Semenyih, Selangor are saddled
with having to service their housing loans as well as pay rent for their current
living premises. Their loan installment payments started three months ago
when the developer delivered vacant possession of their houses on June 22.
Yes, they get to keep the green
lung! 04/10/2001 MM
IT was Victory Day yesterday for Taman Wangsa Cheras residents unhappy over
a development project which occupied their precious green lung/playground
in Jalan Wangsa 2/2. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo
announced that the State Government decided to revert the 0.86-hectare land's
status back to "open space" - permanently.
Down by law 05/10/2001 NST-PROP By Nicholas Mun
Excessive legislation in commerce and industry is a common complaint. The
other side of the argument is spotty enforcement, which raises the issue of
futility of such initiatives to put the house in order.
Developer demands interest for
bank's delay 05/10/2001 MM
PENNY bought a house in Rawang, but is in a quandry now. She took a RM36,000
Government loan to pay the developer, Sunway Masalam.
Caught by surprise
06/10/2001 MM
WHAT used to be a beautiful green grassy backyard frequented by children and
the elderly is being destroyed to make way for a multi-purpose hall. Residents
of the Sri Endah flats in Jalan Radin 5, Sri Petaling were caught by surprise
last Wednesday when contractors started digging up the green stretch of grass
behind their flats.
Group: Do more to protect housebuyers
06/10/2001 The Star
PETALING JAYA: The proposal by the Housing and Local Government Ministry to
collect a RM200,000 deposit for companies applying for a developers’ licences
is just “a drop of water in a teacup,” according to the House Buyers Association
(HBA).
Salvage hope for Widuri project
buyers 08/10/2001 The Star
Housebuyers of the stalled Pangsapuri Widuri project in Lorong Chempa may
finally get to see their units completed if a proposal to salvage the project
materialises.
Flooding toilet bowls
09/10/2001 NST
THE residents of Block 89 of Sri Sentosa Flats on Jalan Klang Lama seem to
be cursed with the perennial problem of flooding toilet bowls. It has been
the case for the last one year. We have this happening every two months on
average. The result is that the bathroom too gets flooded as water cannot
run down the drain.
Storm blows off roof of new
apartment 09/10/2001 MM
BARELY three months after moving into his new apartment, ZAFRI was literally
left without a roof over his head. A storm on the night of Sept 13 caused
the entire roof of 20 units of the Fairville Apartments in USJ22, Subang Jaya,
to be blown away.
Special
incentives for builders who revive abandoned projects
09/10/2001 The Star By R.S.N Murali
SPECIAL incentives will be given to developers interested in reviving abandoned
development projects in Negri Sembilan, said State Local Government and Housing
Committee chairman Datuk Dr Yeow Chai Thiam.
Computerisation
of land titles nationwide to take seven years
09/10/2001 By K. Anuradha
LAND-related transactions at land offices throughout the peninsula is set
to change with a series of changes being implemented by the Land and Mines
Department to enhance efficiency.
Semabok revisited
10/10/2001 MM
SOME time ago I wrote a story in this column about the predicament
faced by purchasers of an abandoned commercial project in Semabok, Malacca.
Quite recently I came across a news item stating that the state government
had so far not received any proposal from the developer to revive the project.
This RM300m project, known as the Bandar Melaka Utama project (not too far
away from the town centre) had been abandoned in 1998. The Chief Minister
Datuk Wira Mohd Ali Rustam told the Malacca State Assembly that two development
companies had earlier indicated interest but subsequently did not confirm
their intention to revive the commercial development project, which is sited
on what he described as "state-owned land".
Improve
productivity to stay ahead, construction sector told 10/10/2001
The Star By Hong Boon How
THE local construction industry must quickly overcome its present weaknesses
in productivity, quality and safety to remain competitive in an increasingly
borderless world, according to Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB)
chief executive Datuk Abdul Rahman Abdullah.
`Address long-standing issues'
10/10/2001 BT
SABAH Chief Minister Datuk Chong Kah Kiat called for immediate
steps to address three long-standing issues faced by the people, particularly
property owners in the state. He said these issues include the issuance of
sub-divided land titles, individual titles and strata titles by developers
for residential houses, commercial premises and condominiums.
Right down the middle 11/10/2000 MM By Nicholas Mun
YOU may have the facilities at your doorstep but really, condo ownership isn't
half as straightforward as owning landed property.
Looking forward to a brand new
SPA 12/10/2001 NST-PROP
THE Housing Developers (Control & Licensing) Act 1966, in force
since August 29, 1969, will soon cease to exist. From its grave, like the
proverbial phoenix rising from its ashes, the brand new Housing Development
Act 2001 will emerge. This assumption is based on the recent announcement
by the Housing Minister that the Housing Development Bill will finally make
its way to Dewan Rakyat this October - perhaps before and perhaps after the
presentation of the Budget by the Prime Minister.
Move
to get developers to repair defects 12/10/2001
The Star
DEVELOPERS will have to continue to repair defects in their units even after
the expiry of their licences under sweeping new amendments to the Housing
Developers (Control and Licensing) Act.
Building surveyors in the spotlight
12/10/2001 NST-PROP
BUILDING surveyors are a relatively rare breed compared with other types of
professionals in the property industry. In fact, for a long time, building
surveying has been considered to be an offshoot of the valuation profession.
"It's not a well-known profession and many people do not have an idea of what
building surveyors do or how well-placed they are to offer assistance and
advice on several areas related to the industry," said ISM's building surveying
division chairman D. B. Das Gupta.
Nursing the property hangover
12/10/2001 NST-PROP
THE property overhang has been a thorn in the side of the industry for some
time now. Its presence doesn't augur well for the industry or the nation's
economy, whose health by and large depends on the amount of money in circulation.
And this is just what a high level of unsold properties works against; it
ties up too much of our currency in bricks and mortar. However, with the incentives
that have been put in place by the government and the industry, the thorn
is slowly but surely being removed. According to the Property Overhang Report
for the first half of this year (H1 2001) released by the National Property
Information Centre (Napic) early this week, the overhang as at June 2001 is
valued at RM26.6 billion. This represents a drop of 6.5 per cent from the
RM28.4 billion worth of unsold properties recorded in Dec 2000. No where is
the decrease more apparent than in the residential sector, where the total
value of unsold properties fell 26.5 per cent from RM6.6 billion to RM4.9
billion.
Price adjustment pending strata title 14/10/2000 NST
IF you have just received the keys to your brand new stratified unit and think
that it signifies the end of your business relationship with the developer,
think again.
Loh: Check
before signing S&P 15/10/2000 The Star By Choong Kwee
Kim
HOUSEBUYERS must ensure that the floor size of their units indicated in the
sale and purchase agreement (S&P) is the same as what the developer submitted
and approved by the authorities.
Housing project in Kg Pasir
Lama to be revived soon 15/10/2001 NST
KUALA LUMPUR, Sun. - Some 214 families relocated to the Desa Tun Razak flats
in Cheras in 1998 can look forward to moving back to Kampung Pasir Lama in
about three years. This is because the low-cost housing project which was
abandoned due to the economic downturn will be revived under Bank Negara's
Abandoned Housing Projects Fund (TPPT) next month.
Balakong housebuyers wary over
rescue scheme 15/10/2001 NST
MORE than 240 buyers of a low-cost housing project in Taman Harmoni, Balakong,
Selangor, the status of which has been uncertain for six years, have been
assured that construction work will start soon. The chief executive officer
of the newly-appointed developer, Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad (PNSB),
Datuk Jabar Kamin, said work would begin once the buyers have signed the new
agreement.
Cheras Perdana monsoon drain
to be cleaned at last 15/10/2001 NST
THE Kajang Municipal Council has started work on clearing the metre-deep silt
collected over six years in the kilometre-long monsoon drain in Cheras Perdana
to prevent flash floods in the area. Balakong State Assemblyman Datuk Hoh
Hee Lee, who visited the site last Wednesday said the heavy siltation from
development in the Taman Hussein Onn area had caused the drain water to backflow
and cause flash floods during rain.
Dataran Perdana project revised
with new plans
15/10/2001 MM
THE Dataran Perdana project has been shelved. Bukit Bintang MP, Fong Kui Lun
said the project on a 42.13 hectare site stretching from Jalan Imbi to the
fringe of Taman Maluri has been replaced with another development.
CF delays will be forgotten
once housing bill is passed 15/10/2001 NST By Ramlan
Said
DELAYS in the issuance of Certificate of Fitness for Occupation will be a
thing of the past with the passing of the Housing Developers (Control and
Licensing) (Amendment) Bill 2001.
CFs will be issued faster,
says Ka Ting 16/10/2001 The Star By Foo Yee Ping,
Lee Yuk Peng, Sim Leoi Leoi and Clarence Chua
CERTIFICATES of Fitness (CFs) will now be issued faster and with more facilities
assured, apart from water and electricity supply, said Housing and Local Government
Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting. T
Open space at Jalan Wangsa Cheras
remains 16/10/2001 MM
THE decision is final. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo
stressed that the open space at Jalan Wangsa Cheras 2/2 in Taman Wangsa Cheras
remains.
Addressing housebuyers' grievances 16/10/2001 NST
THE House Buyers' Association yesterday lauded the Government's effort in
addressing the problems of housebuyers with the tabling of the Housing Development
(Control and Licensing) Amendment Bill 2001. Association secretary-general
Chang Kim Lonng, in a memorandum circulated to Members of Parliament, said
while the amendments were considered vital as a stop gap measure to curb errant
housing developers, it called for a complete review of the existing Act or
to replace it to suit the present day conditions.
MPs voice their grouses over
housing industry 16/10/2001 The Star
BACKBENCHERS and opposition MPs took the opportunity to voice their numerous
grouses over the local housing industry in their debate on the long-awaited
Housing Developers (Licensing and Control) (Amendment) Bill.
Developers told to stick
to plans 16/10/2001 The Star By Choong Kwee Kim
DEVELOPERS are supposed to build housing units according to building plans
submitted to the local authorities, Real Estate and Housing Developers Association
(Rehda) Penang chairman Datuk Ong Gim Huat said. e.
CFO: Pemaju perlu dapat pengesahan
jabatan teknikal 16/10/2001 BH
PENGELUARAN Sijil Layak Menduduki (CFO) hanya boleh dibuat sebaik saja pemaju
perumahan mendapat pengesahan dari jabatan teknikal, selaras dengan syarat
yang ditetapkan di bawah Undang-undang Kecil Bangunan Seragam (UBBL).
Call to
enhance low cost housing quality 16/10/2001 NST
DEVELOPERS should place special emphasis on the quality of buildings including
low cost housing structures to cater for the needs of the people, Sabah Local
Government and Housing Minister Datuk Salleh Tun Said said.
Need for agency to overcome
housing woes 16/10/2001 BT
A GOVERNMENT backbencher proposed the setting up of a one-stop consultancy
agency to reduce problems faced by house buyers and developers. Datuk Husni
Hanadzlah (BN-Tambun), when debating the Housing Developers (Control and Licensing)
(Amendment) Bill 2001 at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, said architects, engineers
and surveyors, for instance, could be included in the agency to undertake
a feasibility study before any housing project was implemented
Rehda: Stick to plans
16/10/2001 The Star By Choong Kwee Kim
Developers are supposed to build housing units according to building plans
submitted to the local authorities, Real Estate and Housing Developers Association
(Rehda) Penang chairman Datuk Ong Gim Huat said yesterday.
Developer of abandoned project
ordered to be wound up 17/10/2001 NST
PENANG, Tues. - The High Court here today handed down an order
for Majestic Heights Sdn Bhd, developer of Taman Terubong Indah which has
been abandoned since 1998, to be wound up. In ordering the winding-up of the
company, Judge Md Raus Shariff also appointed Mak Kum Choon and Ng Meng Kwai
from accountancy firm, Deloitt Kassim Chan, as liquidators.
What's in a smart home
17/10/2001 NST
THE concept of a smart home is certainly starting to gain attention
in Malaysia. However the earliest that local smart home developers expect
to have such homes ready for occupation is in the year 2002 or 2003. Being
a relatively new concept in the property scene, it is therefore not surprising
that demand for smart homes is still somewhat low. BEYOND BROADBAND With no
clear industry definition, many developers tend to call their residential
projects "smart homes", even though some only offer broadband infrastructure.
Hi-tech properties in demand?
17/10/2001 NST
INFORMATION and communications technology (ICT) is closely related to most
industries as an enabler for them to gain a competitive edge. Industries such
as manufacturing and communications are highly dependent on it, but what about
the property sector? Has IT proliferated in local property projects? What
are the IT facilities available in residential and commercial projects? Some
of the IT facilities that local property projects offer to their residents
and tenants are broadband Internet access, home automation, surveillance,
and community Web sites. These are usually found in both residential and commercial
developments as they need to complement each other to create the total value
chain as part of the country's ongoing efforts to establish a hi-tech society.
Judging from the various upcoming and currently available property projects,
the time seems right despite the slowdown, for developers to attract IT-savvy
property buyers.
Act amendment may cause more
burden 17/10/2001 BT
PROPERTY developers, facing hard times due to the economic downturn, may see
amendments to the Housing Developers (Control and Licensing) Act as an added
burden as their operating costs will be higher due to the new legislation.
According to the Property Market Report, the residential property overhang
stood at 35,203 units in the first half of 2001 and the total value of transaction
for the residential property reduced by 12.1 per cent in the first half of
2001.
Khir: We are flexible
17/10/2001 MM
THE Selangor Government cannot stop any development on private
land, but the type of development can still be negotiated for the convenience
of nearby residents. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Khir Toyo said development
is important but the type of project must be controlled.
Tribunal will hear `all' cases
17/10/2001 MM
IF there are 20 people who want to bring their cases to the Tribunal for Home
Buyers on the same complaint, it will hear all of them. And there will be
no limitation on the number of cases to be heard by it, says Housing and Local
Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.
Amendments to be gazetted as
soon as possible 17/10/2001 MM
THE amendments to the Housing Developers (Control and Licensing) (Amendment)
Bill 2001 will be gazetted and implemented as soon as possible. Housing and
Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting gave the assurance yesterday
after DAP Kota Melaka member Kerk Kim Hock touched on the matter.
City Hall shelves 42ha Dataran
Perdana project 18/10/2001 NST
THE Dataran Perdana project has been shelved. Bukit Bintang Member of Parliament
Fong Kui Lun said other development will take place at the 42.13ha site. He
said Kuala Lumpur City Hall has already identified the development, and allocated
the land area.
Minister can end housing pacts
17/10/2001 The Star
THE Housing and Local Government Minister is empowered to terminate housing
sale and purchase agreements if construction work does not begin six months
after the deals are signed.
Resistance is fruitful
19/10/2001 NST-PROP
THINGS have changed where I live. Our sleepy condo project, like so many others
in KL where residents are at loggerheads with the management and the developer,
has witnessed a revolution. Having hit rock bottom when Tenaga Nasional Bhd
dropped by to cut the electricity to the entire property due to an incredulously
large arrears in payment followed by the Water Board's not-so-courteous call,
it became clear that we had nothing left to lose.
On the development fastrack
19/10/2001 NST-PROP
IT takes at least five years if not more to get a development scheme from
the drawing board to completion. Much of the time taken lies with obtaining
the necessary approvals before even the first brick can be laid. Getting on
the development fastrack is something property developers aspire to but are
unable to achieve in their normal manner of acquiring development landbank
that gets bogged down with procedure and red tape.
Know what you're buying
19/10/2001 NST-PROP
AHMAD, Siva and Chong were three prospective purchasers on the lookout for
different types of property. Ahmad wanted to buy a plot of land on which he
could design his own home and expand it as his income grew over the years.
Siva preferred an apartment, as he would have the facilities, including security,
at his disposal. Chong's intention to purchase was tied up with his new business,
and he was looking for a small office unit from which he could operate.
80 per cent of Sg Purun squatters
agree to move out 19/10/2001 MM
SOME 500 families at the Sungai Purun squatters settlement
in Taman Mulia Jaya, Ampang will sign an agreement with the developer Sungai
Purun Sdn Bhd, this weekend. Lembah Jaya State Assemblyman Datuk Ismail Kijo
said the agreement will be signed along with the bank loan agreement.
Negeri Sembilan offers incentives
to revive projects 20/10/2001 MM
SPECIAL incentives will be offered by the Negeri Sembilan state
government to encourage developers to revive abandoned projects in the state.
According to Negeri Sembilan Local Government and Housing Committee chairman
Dr Yeow Chai Thiam, most of the affected projects are 55 to 80 per cent completed
and developers that intend to revive them would be given special assistance
by the state government, including the securing of anchor tenants for them
when the revived projects are completed.
Kayveas: 386 abandoned projects
revived 21/10/2001 NST
MENTAKAB, Sat. - The Government has managed to revive 386 of
the 514 abandoned housing projects in the past three years despite the economic
slowdown, Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk M. Kayveas said.
He said 112 projects were being revived while the remaining 16 projects could
not be revived.
25 fail to declare RM1.1b to
IRB 22/10/2001 NST
KUALA LUMPUR, Sun. - Twenty-five housing developers had failed
to declare their income estimated to be at RM1.1 billion to the Inland Revenue
Board. Auditor-General Datuk Dr Hadenan Abdul Jalil who said this in his 2000
Audit Report, criticised the IRB for their failure to collect tax, estimated
at RM70.30 million, from these housing developers.
103 families protest against
non-payment of compensation 22/10/2001 NST
KUALA LUMPUR, Sun. - Some 103 squatter families from Kampung Medan Harun Indah
gathered at Batu 7, Jalan Klang Lama today to protest against the non-payment
of compensation for making way for a highway project. They were led by members
of the Medan Harun Indah Umno Youth branch.
Govt move to provide housing
funds lauded 22/10/2001 The Star
PETALING JAYA: The House Buyers Association (HBA) and Real Estate and Housing
Developers Association (Rehda) are extremely pleased with the government’s
move in providing funds for housing for the lower-income group.
Buyers cry foul over ‘town
centre’ 22/10/2001 The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Five years ago, 73-year-old Zain Hussin bought a shop house
at a proposed town centre in Shah Alam as an investment after he retired.
“The developer, in its brochure, presented the town centre as having two office
block towers of 20 storeys, a shopping centre, car parks, a bus station and
other public amenities.
Solution in sight to Bukit Beruntung
woes 23/10/2001 NST
THE developer of the Bukit Beruntung township, Europlus Corporation
Sdn Bhd, will be given a certain period to resolve long-standing issues faced
by some 50,000 residents of the township as well as Bukit Sentosa. Giving
residents his assurance that the developer would hold up its end of the bargain,
Selangor Executive Councillor in charge of Local Authorities, Squatters and
Housing, Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Ahmad Dahalan, said he would personally ensure
that the residents receive the "quality life" as promised.
Villagers to move to flats soon 23/10/2001 MM
KAMPUNG BAIDURI villagers in Jalan 222, Petaling Jaya, are
finally making their way to their three-room apartment blocks in Taman Putra,
Subang. Last night, they received offer letters to rent each unit at RM124
before their Kampung Baiduri flat is completed in two years.
Housing woes due to downturn
23/10/2001 NST
KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - The economic downturn and weaknesses among developers
have been identified as the primary causes of houses for armed forces staff
in several States being abandoned or left in a dilapidated state. The houses
and housing projects are in Johor, Malacca, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur
and Sabah.
Housebuyer still waiting for
the CF 24/10/2001 NST
IN mid-1999 my father put all his savings into a four-storey
shop-office lot at a place called Taman Subang Perdana near the old international
airport in Subang. Of course, he had to take a considerably large bank loan.
The property was already at the stage of "internal and external plastering
completed", which meant that the developer had to be paid ninety per cent
of the total cost up front.
The homebuyer claims tribunal
24/10/2001 MM
WHEN the new Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act
1966 (as amended) comes into force later (the exact date of which we do not
know yet), it will have a brand new Part VI, entitled "Tribunal for Homebuyer
Claims", covering 34 new provisions, from sections 16A to 16AI. The new law
has coined the new term "homebuyer" in preference to using other expressions
currently used in everyday conversation such as house buyers or house purchasers.
Section 16A has defined this new term to mean "a purchaser and includes a
person who has subsequently purchased a housing accommodation from the first
purchaser of the housing accommodation".
Plea for green lung in Taman
Pusat Kepong 25/10/2001 NST
TAMAN Pusat Kepong residents have appealed to Kuala Lumpur City Hall to persuade
the developer of a mixed development project on a former playground in their
area to provide a green lung. The mixed development project was abandoned
by a consortium comprising Chong Lai Enterprise Sdn Bhd, Dagang Maksima Sdn
Bhd and Riang Bakti Sdn Bhd about five years ago due to financial problems.
Not home
yet 26/10/2001 NST-PROP By Sheila Singam
The much awaited amendments to the Housing Developers (Control and Licensing)
Act 1966 will lay the foundations for the Ministry of Housing and Local Government
to further tighten the rules and regulations governing the industry.
Roles and responsibilities 26/10/2001 NST-PROP By
Akbal Singh Sandhu
Very often, when we buy a house, we deal directly with the developer or financial
institution, and have only a vague idea of the roles of other professionals
involved in the whole development process.
Weak debate on housing bill
26/10/2001 NST-PROP
The Bill to amend the existing Housing Developers (Control and Licensing)
Act 1966 went through the Dewan Rakyat recently. It had its second reading,
followed by a debate by several backbenchers and opposition members in the
days immediately preceding the presentation of the 2001 Budget by the Prime
Minister. It is a great pity that as yet, the full text of the Bill is not
yet available on the Ministry of Housing and Local Government's website. Malaysia
has long embraced IT and the Internet age, but unfortunately, its positive
and beneficial aspects have yet to be made full use of by many government
departments and ministries.
Cheerless in Cheras Ria
26/10/2001 NST
SOME 200 house buyers of Phases Three and Four of Cheras Ria, formerly known
as Taman Puteri Cheras, are furious with the developer for not completing
the three and a-half-storey terrace houses. Work on the project stopped
in 1998.
Kg Baiduri squatters to shift
27/10/2001 NST
THE first batch of 187 squatter families in Kampung Baiduri, Petaling Jaya,
will shift into the Lembah Subang council houses to give way for the development
of low-cost flats in their village. The families can opt to move on either
Nov 3, 4, 10 or 11. The developer, Baiduri PJ Sdn Bhd, will provide the necessary
transportation for the families from Kampung Baiduri to Lembah Subang.
Bangsar folk against apartment
project 27/10/2001 MM
RESIDENTS of Jalan Riong, Bangsar, may have to eat, breathe and live in discomfort
for years to come. Two blocks of 18-storey apartments are slated to be built
on a 0.68- hectare site next to their bungalows.
Association: Make developers
list buyers 29/10/2001 The Star By Clarence Chua
PETALING JAYA: It should be made mandatory for developers to exhibit the list
of purchasers, their addresses and phone numbers on the notice board at the
Local Government and Housing Ministry or the sales office, said the House
Buyers Association. HBA secretary-general Chang Kim Loong said the proposal
was to ensure that developers indicate the actual units sold.
Sg Kuyuh squatters to move by
June 29/10/2001 NST
SELANGOR will relocate all 264 squatter families staying along Sungai Kuyuh
in Seri Kembangan by June next year. Seri Kembangan State Assemblyman Datuk
Liew Yuean Keong said the first batch of 60 families would be relocated to
low-cost flats in Taman Bukit Serdang, Section 10, in Seri Kembangan.
Property buyers to act against
developer 29/10/2001 MM
THE KID gloves are off for Sentul Raya purchasers. Fed up with efforts for
an amicable settlement with the developer, the long suffering purchasers are
thinking of court action.
Buyers to take legal action
over excessive progress payments 29/10/2001 MM
THE developer of an apparently abandoned condominium project in Jalan Galloway,
Kuala Lumpur will soon face the wrath of its purchasers. About 80 unit owners
of the 27-storey Sri Emas condo met last Saturday to seek legal redress and
help from the authorities.
House buyers get better
protection with changes to Act 29/10/2001 theedgedaily.com
There is a price to everything. While amendments to the Housing Developers
(Control and Licensing) Act 1966 will put developers under the microscope
to better protect house buyers, the improvements are likely to translate into
more costly homes.
Maintenance service not up to
mark 30/10/2001 MM
THEY charge high monthly maintenance fees but their service is not up to the
mark, claims ANGRY on behalf of the residents of Sri Bayu Condominium in USJ
11/7, Subang Jaya. He says that despite meetings and complaints to the building
management, nothing is done.
`Deliver or else' ultimatum
30/10/2001 NST
"DELIVER and rectify all grouses by December or risk having the other developments
frozen." This is the message from the Selangor Government to the developer
of the Bukit Beruntung township, Europlus Corporation Sdn Bhd. State Local
Authorities, Squatters and Housing Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Ahmad
Dahlan delivered the warning after a recent visit to the township.
No water supply despite TCF
30/10/2001 MM
WHEN CHENG received the Temporary Certificate of Fitness (TCF) for her Tiara
Faber condominium unit, she was all set to move in. Until she discovered that
there was no water supply. She says she bought the unit two years ago and
City Hall issued the TCF for the condominium at Jalan Desa Utama, Old Klang
Road, last month.
`Faulty septic tank making us
miserable' 31/10/2001 MM
AN overflowing septic tank and stench from the discharge have become too much
to bear for residents of Block 30 low-costs flats in Taman Puchong Permai.
They say they have been putting up with sewage water and faeces flowing into
their compounds for the several months.
