We need to protect buyers

NST 18/06/2003

THE housing industry is plagued with many problems. We at Fomca constantly receive complaints from the public about the industry.

One incident was related to me. A high-end property buyer who was waiting for completion of her house was informed in a letter that the property was infested by termites.

The developer had washed his hands. According to the company, as long as it had informed the owner nothing else needed to be done. In fact, the entire area of development was affected, as the site was formerly a rubber plantation.

The buyer went to the authorities, but was told that her problem was a minor one compared to the other complaints they receive every day.

Being a person with a legal background she perused the relevant Act and found it did not address her problem.

So where is she to go and what can she do? The unfortunate answer is there is no avenue for her to establish a claim. The developer has got away with the cost of treating the land, shifting it to the house buyer.

The Government should provide a clearer picture to the buyers on procedures to get redress. There is a necessity for stricter enforcement of the existing law so that innocent parties are not victimised.

Sharon Nobbel

for the Federation of Malaysian

Consumer Associations