Improve productivity for competitiveness, local developers told

Sabah Times 15/10/2003

KOTA KINABALU: In view of the Sabah facing a number of challenges, developers here should improve productivity to remain competitive in the industry.

It has been noted that the delivery system – from the planning stage to final deliver of the completed units to the purchasers – has remained stagnant for several years now.

This was disclosed by Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (SHAREDA) chairman Haji Abu Bakar M Yahya.

Speaking at the SHAREDA Nite 2003 Silver Jubilee dinner held at the Karambunai Nexus Resort here Saturday night, he said it was noted that the majority of local developers still continue to adopt the conventional way of utilising foreign cheap labour in development projects.

“The delivery system needs to be further improved to boost productivity and cost-effective…The industry requires to adopt advanced and modern methods such as mechanisation and prefabrication to achieve higher productivity and at the same time reduce over dependence on foreign labour,” Abu Bakar said.

According to him, the association is aware that, currently the housing and property sector in Sabah is relatively smaller compared to the national industry. Yet, he said the sector makes notable contribution to the state’s economic growth and the sector has a multiplier effect on other industries.

He said there are some 140 other industries in Malaysia that are inter-related to the property sector and the property industry, particularly the housing sub-sector, needs further boost because it is under-developed.

Abu Bakar also said that the developers particularly SHAREDA members need to be more responsive to complaints from their respective clients in order for the industry’s image not to be tarnished. Developers should also strive to create a more buyer-friendly environment through the adoption of various innovative concepts.

The government on the other hand, he said could assist the developers in improving the delivery system by reducing the bureaucratic red tape, which often causes undue delays. Citing example, he said the Federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government recently announced a new measure to speed up the issuance of certificates of fitness.

Towards this end, Abu Bakar assured to the State Government that SHAREDA would offer its full cooperation to the authorities in order to overcome any issues that affect the well being of the public.

“We will continue to strive to satisfy our clients because we rely on their goodwill and understanding for the growth of the industry,” the Chairman said.

He added that the association is willing to listen to constructive suggestions that could help minimise complaints from the public.

Abu Bakar added that SHAREDA members are responsible developers and have always upheld their obligations to property buyers. Yet sometimes, he said the members are unfairly accused of non-compliance of tier basic responsibilities.

“There may be black sheep within the housing industry, however, there are adequate laws and regulations to rope in them. The present government is stringently protecting the interests of consumers and therefore has taken appropriate measures to protect house buyers,” he said adding that SHAREDA hopes that the State Government will also create a housing tribunal to handle complaints from property buyers in Sabah.