Ministry accepts blame for strata title delays
The Sun 12/03/2003

Kuala Lumpur: Land and Cooperative Development Minister Tan Sri Kasitah Gaddam admits his ministry is partially responsible for delays in issuing strata titles.

"The enforcement of Strata Titles Act and part of the application process are the responsibility of my ministry," he said yesterday.

He said only one errant developer was brought to court last year for not applying for strata titles.

There are seven or eight cases pending this year. On why so few cases were brought to court, he said it was because the ministry received so few complaints.

Housebuyers must file a report with his ministry before action can be taken. However, he has instructed state governments to trace and prosecute errant developers while urging greater cooperation between the different authorities involved.

On delays in the application process, he said it was due to a combination of, "time consuming and tedious procedures, shortage of manpower and late delivery of reports from technical departments".

Kasitah said the government's practice of regularly rotating the powerful position of district officer to prevent abuse resulted in inexperienced officers which also contributed to the delay.

The steps he took to deal with the problems include organising seminars for officers, urging state governments to increase manpower for land administration and modernising the entire ministry to increase efficiency.