The Star 26/10/2006 By GEETHA KRISHNAN

AFTER five years, Skyvilla Serdang buyers had a reason to smile recently when they moved one step closer to obtaining their keys.

On Oct 13, developer Prinsiptek (M) Sdn Bhd submitted the E2 form for Certificate of Fitness approval to the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) for 857 shop apartments and 143 shoplots in Section 5, Serdang Perdana.

Liew (centre), his special assistant Lee Tak San (left) and newly appointed MPSJ councillor Loh Yoong Keong studying the plans during the recent site visit.

“With the submission, I am confident a temporary CF would be issued within one to two months. This would enable buyers to take vacant possession of their units and settle outstanding bills,” said Seri Kembangan assemblyman Datuk Liew Yuen Keong.

A total of 1,708 buyers were affected when the Skyvilla project was abandoned in 2001 by then developer Green Crescent Resources Sdn Bhd, citing receivership as the reason.

The project also comprised 320 service apartments, 192 medium-cost apartments and 196 low-cost flats that were purchased in June 1998. The units were scheduled for completion in June 2001 but work stalled in November.

“At that point, progress on the shoplots was 80%, shop apartments 78%, service apartments 25% and medium-cost apartments 27%. The low-cost flats were not even built,” added Liew who paid a visit to the site on Tuesday.

Pengurusan Danaharta Sdn Bhd took over the project in April 2002.

“The MCA took the initiative to work with Danaharta to find a solution with the involvement of Bank Negara, other banks, the Housing and Local Government Ministry and MPSJ in order to revive the project,” said Liew who is also an MPSJ councillor.

As turnkey contractor appointed by Danaharta, Prinsiptek was ready to give a new lease of life to the project but it faced numerous technical problems in dealing with the relevant authorities like Tenaga Nasional and Syabas.

Several meetings were held with buyers to placate them and to ensure a solution would be sought. They were also advised not to demand for late delivery charges from Prinsiptek.

One issue raised by buyers was that Prinsiptek was charging them 14% interest per annum because their banks made late payments to the company.

Liew said he had made a formal request to the developer to waive the charges and also urged buyers to form a pre-management cooperation to look into other problems.

The remaining service apartments, medium-cost apartments and low-cost flats would be handed over in March, 2007.