Buyers can now sue developers: Yong
28/08/2004 Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: Measures have been taken by the State Government to protect the interest of housebuyers, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Edward Yong assured Friday.

He said housebuyers now have the right to sue developers for failing to complete projects on time.

We have already tightened up some loopholes or the so-called loose ends as it is our main objective to protect the housebuyers interest like ensuring developers deliver the houses on time.

Otherwise, the developers licences will be affected as the buyers have the right to take legal action by suing them.

We have made sure that this vital condition is enclosed in their sale and purchase agreements, he said after launching the Merdeka Day property fair on behalf of Minister, Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor, at Centre Point, here.

The fair, organised by Impact Zone, has attracted 22 participants consisting of a mixture of housing developers, home dÈcor outfits, security systems and banks, who are taking the opportunity to promote their products related to the industry.

Yong said the Ministry had enforced the measure less than two years ago, including imposing the same condition on any new developers applying for licences.

In a related issue, he said the Ministry had received many backlog cases pertaining to the issuance of strata titles.

We are still studying the cases. Throughout Sabah, there are quite a number of them. But I cannot disclose the exact figure, as I dont have the information on hand.

We are dealing with it on case-to-case basis. Some of them have been waiting for the titles for more than 10 years and some more than 15 years, he said, adding that he hoped developers would work with the relevant authorities to deliver their promises to housebuyers.

Earlier, Yong delivered the Hajijis speech at the function.

Hajiji said property developers should take advantage of opportunities offered by participating in exhibitions.

One good advantage is the publicity they can get, especially when the organiser has other activities to help draw the crowds.

Exhibitions such as the Merdeka Day Property Fair offer a unique opportunity for the home buyers and investors to meet directly with the property developers, enabling them to get more detailed information, he said.

Hajiji also hoped that the developers would fulfil their obligation to deliver the property with occupation certificates (OC) within the time specified and to discharge their responsibility in obtaining the individual titles for them at the shortest time possible.