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“Build first “’policy proposed
The Star 17/9/2003
The Government should re-examine the "self first, build later" housing
policy as the concept places risk on buyers instead of on developers, said a
back- bencher.
Lee Kah Choon (BN - Jelutong) said the average cost of an apartment unit
bought by medium-income earners was about RM200,000.
"They work and save their money for years to pay for their homes but all
their savings will be lost when developers wind up their businesses," he
said when debating Budget 2004 yesterday.
Citing Thailand as an example, he said the concept of "build first, self
later" was implemented there al- though Thailand was less advanced
economically compared to Malaysia.
"If they can do it, why can't we? As a Government with the people's interest
at heart we must examine our stand. "Whose side are we on? The few that
trade homes as just another business commodity or many whose life"
investment is the roof over their heads?" he asked.
Lee proposed that the Housing and Local Government Ministry and the Land and
Co-operative Development Ministry consider setting up a revolving fund to
manage sinking funds from multi-story buildings.
He said the revolving fund would ensure that developers or management
corporations would not misuse the sinking funds and ensure that the
buildings were well maintained.
Lee also proposed that the tabling of the "Building and Common Property"
(Maintenance and Management) Bill be expedited and that the bill include
provisions for multi- story buildings which had yet to be issued strata
titles.
The Land and Co-operative Development Ministry should bring errant
developers to court if they failed to acknowledge warnings against them on
the application of strata titles ,said Lee.
He pointed out that not a single developer had been brought to court since
the Strata Title Act was enforced 18 years ago.
Lee added that at least 2.5 million people had yet to receive strata titles
for their homes.
The Act stipulates that developers are required to apply for the strata
title six months after the issuance of the certificate of fitness.
"When will the backlog of cases be settled?" he asked.
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