Ong: Court decision a reminder to developers

20/12/2003 The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The Court of Appeal's decision reinstating a housing tribunal's awards should make developers more aware of their legal obligations to buyers, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said.

He said the court decision was not merely a strong reminder to developers to be more responsible but also demonstrated that the country had law and enforcement to deal with developers who failed to deliver.

“It is in the law that they are obligated to honour promises in the sale and purchase agreement,” he said after inspecting the final preparation yesterday for a mammoth dinner at Bukit Jalil Stadium.

On Thursday, the Court of Appeal reinstated all awards handed down by the Homebuyers Claims Tribunal to buyers of properties bought before Dec 1 last year.

The appellate court set aside a High Court order, which declared that the tribunal did not have the jurisdiction to hear claims on properties purchased before the amended Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1996.