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'Ministry needs to do more for house buyers'
NST 17/10/1999 By MK Megan
Kuala Lumpur, Sat - The Housing and local Government Ministry is
not doing its job well in solving house buyers problems, the newly-formed House Buyers Association alleged today.
"That is the reason for forming this association," said, pro-tem committee vice chairman Capt (rtd) Mohd Shah
Daud, adding that many house buyers had complained to the ministry directly and through its website.
"But not many problems have been solved. We found out about this during a seminar on housing problems, organised
by the Selangor and Federal Territory Association last month."
Mohd. Shah said of late some of the problems had been solved…"that too after being pressured by many quarters
including consumer associations.
"That is one of our objectives. We want to apply pressure on the ministry and also act as watchdog so that
problems concerning house buyers will be solved quickly."
Among their other objectives, Mohd Shah said, was to advise their members accordingly. " Not many of them know
where to go when they have a problem with their houses.
"Usually the Housing Ministry's job is done after the buyers has taken vacant possession of the property.
"After that any complaints pertaining to the property would come under the jurisdiction of the Land and
Cooperatives Development Ministry. But not many people know that."
He said the ministries had all the acts and regulations to solve the problems but, more often that not, were
slow in acting.
Among the common problems voiced by house owners was the non-issuance of the certificate of fitness and the lack
of electricity and water supply.
There was also a case, said Mohd. Shah, where the developer absconded with some RM2 million in down payments
from potential buyers."
"When he was brought to court, he was let off the hook. The house owners are still paying the bank loans but
they have no property to show.
"How can the ministry allow this to happen? Someone has to do something and we feel the forming of this
association is long overdue."
House buyers, he said were taking a high risk by booking a house. "They do not know what the end product would
be like or if there will ever be an end product at all.
"Moving into their own houses should be a happy occasion … not in anger and frustration and with defects to
their properties."
Mohd Shah said they would be writing to the Housing and Local Government Ministry to be allowed to sit in at a
meeting on Oct 21 where amendments to the existing Acts and regulations would be discussed.
The pro-tem chairman is Datuk Zainuddin Bachik, secretary is Chang Kim Loong.
House owners with problems can contact the association at No.31 , Level 3, Jalan Barat, Off Jalan Imbi 55100. |
