New CF to deter forgery
05/10/1999 Malay Mail By Meor Shariman
Security features in house cert issued by Subang Jaya Municipal Council
SEVERAL developers in the Subang Jaya municipality have been found to forge
certificates of fitness (CFs) to "allow" house buyers to move in.
The latest occurred in Sri Kembangan last year and the Subang Jaya Municipal
Council had reported the case to the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
"That's why we have introduced a CF with security features," said council
president Ahmad Fuad Ismail.
It is printed on special stationery and carries a watermark. The council logo
embossed on the CF can only be seen under ultra-violet light.
Introduced last May, it has been issued to 27 developers in the municipality.
In the Sri kembangan case, a developer was issued a CF for its shophouse project.
However, the original CF for the shophouses was forged and distributed to
buyers of its middle-cost housing project.
The project was not issued a CF as the developer had failed to meet certain
requirements.
"The case has been reported to the Ministry and Board of Architects," said
Ahmad Fuad.
Unlike the old CFs where an officer filled in the blanks, the new ones are
computer printed.
"Each certificate is also personally signed by me," said Ahmad Fuad, adding
that he had to put his signature on thousands of CF since last May.
Unlike the previous document that was issued free, a developer needs to pay
RM10 for each new CF given to house buyers.
In the past, the council only issued one original certificate to the developer
who will photostat it for buyers.
"This time, we issue original CF to every house buyer through the developer,"
said Ahmad Fuad.
For example, if a developer has 30 units under its project, it has to get
an equal number of original CFs from the council.
Asked on whether developers will pass the cost of the CF to buyers, Ahmad
Fuad said, " By right, developers should bear the cost since it is considered
a service to buyers."
To date, he said the council had not received any complaints from developers
or house buyers on the new CFs.
He said those with the old CF need not change to the new one though it could
be done for RM10.
Other documents carrying similar safety features include temporary CFs, certificates
of approval for building plans and certificates of approval for renovations. |
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