17/08/09 The Star By FAZLEENA AZIZ

SOME 500 Ukay Bistari Home Owners (PHUKB) gathered at the AU5 Hall in Lembah Keramat to discuss the latest development on the stalled project in Ukay Perdana, Ampang.

The Ukay Bistari project, which had been classified as problematic consists of 2,214 mixed development units with double and two-and-half storey houses, low-cost apartments, apartments, service apartments as well as shop and office lots.

It was launched in August 2003 and was scheduled to be completed between August 2005 and June 2007.

A total of 353 units of the double-storey houses were completed in October 2006 while another 103 units were completed in May 2008.

In May 2008, PHUKB committee convinced its members to support the developer to implement a legal protection plan under Section 176 of the Companies Act with a promise to complete the project by June 2009.

The committee then approached Hulu Kelang assemblyman Saari Sungib, who is the head of the Special Task Force for Abandoned Housing Projects in Selangor, in December 2008.

A RSS consultant was later appointed to facilitate the completion of the project.

During the gathering, home owners expressed their dissatisfaction and thinning patience with the developer.

Most were irked by the fact that they were forced to live in rented houses while waiting for the units to be completed.

The project consultant had explained to buyers about the present works being carried out at the site.

He said that pipe works under the Middle Ring Road had been completed.

He also added that some of the 146 low-cost units buyers would be able to move in soon.

He stressed that the main priority was getting water and electricity.

According to PHUKB chairman Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan Abdul Rahman, the laws in the country only protects the interest of the developer instead of the buyers.

He said that they had approached the Housing and Local Government Ministry and insisted the use of Article 11 of Act 188 (Housing and Developmental Act).

“The developer was not pleased with our action because it included the request to freeze the HDA account and not allow them to claim management expenses.

“Right now, we are going to plan our strategy with the hope of settling the matter.

“We want both the Federal and state government to take joint action in the best interest of the buyers,” he said.

PHUKB deputy chairman Mohd Ali Abd Karim said that they were upset about the whole mess revolving around the project.

Also present during the gathering was Saari, who explained the state government’s effort in reviving abandoned projects.

He said that as head of the task force, they could only facilitate meetings but he encouraged the owners to pursue their rights.

“Based on last May findings, there are 144 abandoned projects in Selangor.

“A total of 45,000 to 200,000 units of the abandoned projects are residential units,” he said.