A High Court judge said yesterday Majestic Heights Phase 1 buyers should give the developer a chance to complete its Paya Terubong project before a liquidator takes over as a last resort.

Justice Jeffrey Tan said: "If the developer exhibits genuine intent, it should be given a fair shot to complete the project."

"Give the developer an opportunity to complete its project rather than plunging into another matter, (which) at the end of the day will take more time," he said.

Lawyer Ramanathan Pillai, who represented 545 buyers, indicated to the High Court the buyers might have to support a winding-up petition filed by creditors of Majestic Heights and appoint their liquidator in the event the developer refused to complete the project.

Ramanathan said the longer the buyers wait, the cost of reviving the project would go up.

He also said vacant possession for the units had been delivered to Phase 1 buyers 14 months ago but there was still no Occupation Certificate and physical work at the project site had stopped.

The Ad-Hoc Committee for Taman Terubong Indah (Majestic Heights) Phase 1 Purchasers filed a notice on July 26 through their lawyers to oppose the winding-up petition.

So far, the committee has registered 545 of the 1,557 Phase 1 buyers for legal representation.

The Phase 1 low medium-cost project, launched in 1994 and was due to be completed in 1997, consists of nine blocks.

Counsel for Majestic Heights, Raj Shankar, said it would hand over three cheques amounting to RM100,980 to its creditor, Uniplan Interiors (M) Sdn Bhd, who filed the winding-up petition.

Also present in court were lawyers of the other creditors--United Plumbing Sdn Bhd, Selangor Industrial Corp Sdn Bhd and Malaysia Building Society Bhd.

Justice Tan fixed Oct 4 for mentioning of the case.