Don’t stymie CF plan
The Star 18/07/2006

I REFER to the letter by the president of the Consumers Association of Penang S.M. Mohamed Idris, “Govt must not let private sector issue CFs” (The Star, July 13).

Much has been written about the decision by Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu that architects and engineers will soon be responsible for the issuance of certificates of fitness (CFs) for buildings.

Since the beginning of our housing industry, the issuance of CFs has been the responsibility of the local councils after the developers have obtained approvals from about a dozen government bodies.

Most, if not all, of the local councils are manned by ordinary civil servants whose knowledge and expertise in the building industry is virtually nil.

Despite this lack of expertise the law demands that we obtain certification from these authorities.

With the need to obtain approvals from a dozen government bodies, imagine the bureaucratic delay that a developer has to endure.

This results in an inordinate delay in the issuance of the CF, sometimes stretching over years.

With the responsibility given to architects and engineers, there is every reason to believe that due care and diligence will be exercised to comply with the specifications and workmanship.

It is very unlikely that these professionals will risk their rice bowl by compromising on quality and shoddy workmanship.

At the end of the day the responsibility comes with an attached responsibility of being liable to any litigation that may arise as a result of their certification.

Relying on the local authorities to issue the CF has resulted in bureaucratic delay, corruption and abandonment of housing projects.

The time has come for us to move forward and experiment with a new method of certification.

It would be a great disservice to the housing industry if critics like Mohamed Idris put a nail to the coffin of this new proposal even before it is implemented.

RICHARD TEO,
Kota Baru.