Report progress or risk jail
04/05/2001 NST-PROP

DEVELOPERS have been given a final warning to submit progress reports on their projects and financial standing to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government or face a fine or jail sentence.

Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said that he has repeatedly warned developers to submit their Form 7F on time but despite these warnings there are still those who have failed to do so. Those who fail to submit their forms once every six months could face a fine of up to RM100,000 or three years' imprisonment.

Although 1,846 developers or about 70 per cent, of the total number of developers in the country had submitted the forms, the ministry is still concerned over those that have yet to do so. Ong said he would be meeting with the respective State Governments to discuss better methods of enforcement over such developers.

On the issue of the Housing Developers Act and the Building and Common Property (Maintenance and Management) Bill, Ong said drafts of the amendments to the Act and proposed Bill had been submitted to the Attorney-General's Chambers and are expected to be tabled at the next Dewan  Rakyat sitting. He said the Housing Developers Act would be renamed the Housing Development Act to better reflect its form and function.