Faster action on housing grouses

The Star 26/08/1999 By Foong Pek Yee

Kuala Lumpur: Buyers can expect a speedy solution to their housing woes with the setting up of the Housing Complaint Monitoring Committee yesterday.

The committee, under the Housing and Local Government Ministry, will handle all housing complaints lodged with the ministry as well as those reported in the mass media.

Minister Datuk Dr Ting Chew Peh said his two deputies who were chairman and deputy chairman of the committee would ensure speedy action was taken to resolve complaints.

He said the committee would also provide feedback to complainants and the public on the ministry's role and efforts to resolve the complaints.

"This is also a form of public education and buyers must know their role and responsibilities and that of the developers to protect their (buyers) rights as stated in the sale and purchase agreement."

Dr Ting said the nine-member committee, chaired by Datuk Peter Chin would meet once a week. It met for the first time yesterday.

Deputy Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal is the deputy chairman and members included secretary-general Datuk Khalid Husin.

Dr Ting said relevant parties such as local authorities, house buyers/residents committees and financial institutions would be invited to join the committee.

"The committee will report to me weekly and I will update the Cabinet from time to time," he told a press conference.

Dr Ting said there was a rise in complaints to the ministry with 1,135 last year compared with an average of 500 to 700 cases a year before that.

He said the committee would beef up efforts by the enforcement and control unit which had been handling the complaints alone prior to this.

Dr Ting said about 85% of the complaints had been resolved so far, adding that the unit had done a good job.

He advised the public to provide details to enable the committee to act fast.

"Buyers can write to or email the ministry, the unit, committee, me or my deputies, " Dr Ting said.

He said most complaints were about shoddy workmanship followed by late delivery of vacant possession, late issuance of certificates of fitness, cheating, and delays in getting titles.