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Faster CFs from October
The Star 21/8/2003 By Susan Tam
KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry will implement several measures
to help speed up the issuance of certificates of fitness (CFs).
Under the move, effective from October, developers will only have to obtain certification from one technical agency – the Sewerage
Services Department – before their applications are approved, while certifications from other relevant agencies would be satisfied
through other conditions.
Currently, CF applications would only be approved with certifications from the Public Works Department, Fire and Rescue
Department, Sewerage Services Department, Drainage and Irrigation Department, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Department of Occupational
Safety and Health, Telecommunications Department and Water Supply Department.
Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said the latest move would cut red tape, increase efficiency and avoid corruption, adding that the
safety of buildings would not be “compromised”.
“For water and electricity certification, developers must have a Service Level Agreement with these agencies prior to embarking on
projects,” he said.
To be certified by the Public Works Department and the Drainage and Irrigation Department, the engineers or architects submitting
the documentation would only need to provide self-certification.
“These professionals are licensed by their professional bodies and the Government will accept their certification. This way, these
two departments will also not be involved in the final CF application process,” he told reporters during the ministry’s
post-Cabinet press conference yesterday.
He also said certifications from the Fire and Rescue Department and Department of Occupational Safety and Health would only be
required for buildings above 18m or five storeys or higher.
Ong said an earlier directive for CF applications to be approved within 14 days would remain, adding that if the authorities do
not reply after two weeks of an application, it is automatically considered approved. |
