Pay late delivery fees in full: Buyers

05/11/2003 The Sun By Arion Yeow

Kuala Lumpur: Angry purchasers of the Bandar Mahkota Cheras housing project are gathering to demand full payment for the late delivery (LAD) of their homes.

The house buyers said the developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd which is a subsidiary of Lion Group Holdings told them to accept half the LAD when they went to collect their keys.

"We're like the restless villagers outside Count Dracula's or Dr Frankenstein's castle. We've had enough of their predations, so we're gathering to fight for our rights," said one house buyer, 36-year-old manager Lee Ee Sing.

Lee took his case to the Tribunal for Home Buyer Claims and was awarded the full payment of RM13,710.83 on July 9. However, the developer refused to pay after the tribunal was suspended on Sept 5.

Fellow purchaser Junita Ishak, a 33-year-old executive, said: "I am entitled to the full payment as stated in the sale and purchase agreement. I paid rent and serviced the loan while waiting for the house. The amount does not even consider the emotional distress they caused me."

Another house buyer Alfred Low, a 46-year-old land surveyor, said: "If  I was  late in paying they would have charged me 10% per annum for it but now they want me to accept half the LAD. I paid every payment in full on time. They have to pay me LAD. It's in the contract."

Another house buyer Kelly Chong, a 46-year-old bank officer, said: "They refused to give me a letter and told me to write to them for the full amount. Why should I write to them to beg for the money I am entitled to when they should be the ones begging me to accept half?"

Meanwhile, 30-year-old senior technician Ananth Kumar Alagappan said: "My two friends and I are also purchasers of this project. One of my friends was offered 80% of the LAD while the other friend and I were offered only 50%. We collected the partial payment and wanted to fight for the remainder in the housing tribunal. Unfortunately, the tribunal was suspended so we are now considering civil court action."

So far, Lee has a list of 30 irate house buyers. He urges other buyers to contact him at 019-3850748 or eslee@yahoo.com.

When contacted, a Narajaya manager said the company will issue an official response to the allegations of the purchasers soon.