Ensuring builders follow the law

 20/12/2003 NST Shamini Darshni and June Ramli

The Housing and Local Government Ministry should review the enforcement of development projects to ensure contractors follow the law, House Buyers’ Association of Malaysia vice-president Capt (R) Mohd Shah Daud said today. This should be the next step following the Court of Appeal's decision yesterday to overturn the High Court's ruling and allow the Housing Tribunal to decide on cases where the sale and purchase agreement was signed before Dec 1, he added.

"We must sit down with the authorities, including the local governments, to review the enforcement of development projects to ensure rules and regulations are complied with." He said although local councils approved development plans, there was no way to ensure contractors were complying with the law.

"We are elated with this landmark decision (of the Court of Appeal). It is a good deal for the consumers and now developers know they cannot play around with the law.

"All we want is a fair deal for the public. We keep reiterating that it is important that the rights of house buyers are protected," he added.

Meanwhile, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said housing developers would have to comply with the S&P agreement with the house buyers or prepare to face the consequences of their actions.

Commenting on the Court of Appeal decision, he hoped the Housing Tribunal could now operate smoothly.

He was speaking after inspecting the final preparations for a dinner, organised by five Chinese-based political parties in honour of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, to be held at Bukit Jalil stadium tomorrow.

The Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (Rehda) has expressed disappointment with the decision.

Its president, Datuk Jeffrey Ng Tiong Lip, said the association was informed that one of the parties was appealing against the decision. Thus, the association was unable to comment on the matter any further at this juncture, he said in a statement.

Nevertheless, Rehda would urge developers and members to continue to honour and fulfil their contractual obligations to house buyers under the S&P agreements, he said.