Builders told not to 'bully 'house buyers
15/11/2003 Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Mohd Salleh Tun Said has called on housing developers to respect the sensitivities of their customers.

Developers should ensure any action taken is in the interest of the new owners who have spent a lot of money on their dream homes, he told reporters after chairing a meeting to hear complaints of unfair manipulation by a local housing developer here, on Friday.

According to Salleh, the Ministry is aware of several complaints against the interim management set up by the developer to monopolise over certain facilities and repair works, leaving the buyers having no say in the matter.

To this, he suggested the interim management include the participation of house buyers so that solutions beneficial to both sides could be worked out.

This will also ensure transparency in accordance with stipulation regulations, he said.

Salleh assured that his Ministry would investigate all complaints pertaining to the welfare of the people, the house buyers in general.

However, the complaints must be submitted in writing for Ministry to act accordingly, he said.

On another note, he also acknowledged that several local authorities do not have uniform by-laws, saying this had undoubtedly confused the people.

He noted that most of the local authorities based their by-laws on the guidelines laid out by the Ministry. Salleh, nevertheless, hoped that the local authorities could come together and upgrade their existing by-laws towards uniformity that could ensure better administration and management.