PM: Expedite CFs to buyers
04/11/2001
NST By Cheah Chor Sooi
PUTRAJAYA, Sat. — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad today expressed sadness that Putrajaya — the new Federal administrative capital —
is still under-populated despite the availability of thousands of newly-built houses.
He said the delay in the issuance of certificate of fitness for occupation has prevented many civil servants from moving into the homes they had
bought there.
"I feel lonely as it seems that I am all alone here... I am the second longest staying resident of Putrajaya (after former Chief Secretary to the
Government Tan Sri Abdul Halim Ali).
"I was told by the Election Commission that there are only 28 registered voters in Putrajaya.
"According to commission's chairman Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman, this will simply mean there will be less complaints from the electorate.
"I hope more civil servants will flock to this place and not only during gatherings such as family days. We should appreciate the fact that there
are not many countries which have an administrative city like ours." Dr Mahathir was addressing staff of the Prime Minister's Department after
opening its family day at Taman Wetland.
Also present were Dr Mahathir's wife Datuk Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Samsudin Osman, Minister in the
PM's Department Datuk Abdul Hamid Zainal Abidin and Deputy Minister in the PM's Department Tengku Datuk Adnan Tengku Mansor.
Speaking to reporters later, Dr Mahathir said he came to know of the reason why civil servants were not moving into their new homes when he
enquired about the "reluctance" of one of his bodyguards to live in Putrajaya.
"He told me that he had purchased his house some time ago but has yet to receive his CF. As such, I assume that there are many other homes which
have yet to receive their CFs.
"If the houses are ready, it would only be appropriate that the relevant authorities expedite the issuance of CFs to their buyers." Asked if he
was suggesting that the Ministry of Housing and Local Government should look into the matter, Dr
Mahathir said: "I am asking this because thousands of houses have been sold in Putrajaya. It will take time to inspect each and every house. This
is unlike high-rise buildings where a random sample is deemed as sufficient." The first phase of the Putrajaya affordable houses, which have a
size of 700 sq ft per unit and sold at RM49,000 each, is located in Precinct Nine and comprises 1,204 units. The project was expected to be
completed soon.
A total of 10,000 affordable houses will be built in Putrajaya in phases until 2010.
Currently, civil servants enjoy a 25 per cent discount for properties bought in and around Putrajaya. These include bungalows, semi-detached
units, townvillas, terrace houses and condominiums which are built by Putrajaya Holdings or any other developer appointed by it.
Priority to own these units is given to civil servants who are already working in Putrajaya, those who are about to move there and those working
in the surrounding areas.
The buyers have to abide by several conditions should they be successful.
These include a 20-year moratorium on the houses and the transfer of ownership only to spouses or children.
To date, 14 ministries and Federal departments have shifted to Putrajaya, which covers an area of 4,931 hectares, while 20 others in Kuala Lumpur
will make the move later.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry is the latest ministry to shift to Putrajaya, which was declared a Federal Territory on Feb 1 this year. |
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