CCC Will Give Better Protection To Housebuyers
Bernama 11/12/2006

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- Buyers of houses and buildings would be better protected with the introduction of the Certificate of Compliance and Completion (CCC) in place of the Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (CFO), said Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.

He said the CCC would only be issued after the houses and buildings were deemed fit for occupation and this would overcome the shortcomings of the CFO.

"There will not be any recurrence of bad practices where unsafe houses were handed to buyers. With the new system, there will be very thorough assessment before the CCC is issued," he said when winding up the Streets, Drainage and Buildings (Amendment) Bill 2006, which will pave the way for the implementation of the CCC, at the Dewan Rakyat Monday.

He said the CCC would also help reduce redtape and address the problem of abandoned projects, as the certification would be done by the professional bodies of engineers and architects.

"The professionals involved in the issuing of the CCC can be fined up to RM250,000 or sentenced to 10 years' jail should they fail in their duty," he said, adding that their licences would also be suspended by the Architects Board or Engineers Board.

Earlier, several Members of Parliament had expressed their support for the CCC.

Datuk Hasni Mohammad (BN-Pontian) described it as good news for housebuyers as there had been too many complaints of delays in delivery and of unsafe houses.

Datuk Idris Haron (BN-Tangga Batu) said the CCC would give a bigger responsibility to professional bodies to assess and scrutinise completed buildings.

The Dewan Rakyat sits again Tuesday.

-- BERNAMA