Housing industry needs revamp
THE SUN 09/09/2004

THE housing industry is in need of a total revamp and it is about time that the relevant ministry and local authorities take stock and act in the interest of the buyers, the government and the nation.

The industry has been developing at a frantic pace these past years. But on the flip side, it is also guilty of the growing number of abandoned projects.

The Selangor mentri besar himself admitted that despite his influence and office, he is a victim of an abandoned project.

What more can we say of the poor farmer and rubber estate worker who, after investing in their dream house with their hard earned EFP savings, find that the housing project is abandoned.

The frenzy at which this industry has been building these past several years is also punctuated with very poor quality structures and fittings.

Many a proud house owner will testify that in less than five years of moving into their new property, they had to incur huge repair and maintenance costs.

The quality of materials being used these days is obviously very low. This is compounded by the fact that builders have been engaging illegal migrant workers who usually come herewith zero skills.

This modus operandi is obviously fuelled by the greed for higher profit margins. The time is also right for the authorities to insist on erecting purpose-built houses if we are to address proactively the changing social patterns and future demands of society.

This includes:
· taking into consideration the need to create standard space for a study in every home, thereby encouraging the healthy development of values at home
. reasonable space to park cars so that roads fronting houses are kept free for safe driving;
· ample green-lung allocation in housing estates to help create a cooler environment;
· amenities and playgrounds to encourage integration and create healthy lifestyles closer to home; and
· the provision for adequate ventilation within huge residential areas by limiting the number of link houses in a row and reducing the overall density of houses per acre.

The building industry must realize that it plays an integral role in the development of cultures, values and in the integration of society: Merely operating for profits is not going to help in the long term development of our society.