Property management important
21/10/2005 The Sun By Sujartha Kumarasamy

PETALING JAYA: The issue of maintenance and management is important if the property and housing sector is to compete successfully with Malaysia’s neighbours such as Singapore, Minister of Housing & Local Government Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said yesterday .

“Even the Prime Minister has noted this problem where we have been building bigger and better infrastructure, but many of our nation’s assets are kept well only when they are new,” Ong added .

He officiated at the opening of the National Property and Housing Conference 2005 at Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel yesterday.

Ong said the challenge for the government and the housing industry was to provide affordable housing for every Malaysian, especially those in the lower-middle and low-income groups .

“The increase in population may force housing prices to spiral out of the reach of these groups. Therefore, Malaysia needs to build another 500,000 low and middle-cost housing units over the next five years to keep up with the expected growing demand from buyers .” Ong noted that due to overwhelming demand for housing, Malaysia has mass-produced more houses on a per capital basis than any other latent real estate values through marriages with adjacent properties and the renegotiation of tenancies.

Ong added that property management is an increasingly important issue .

“The quality of the environment of some of the townships and buildings has deteriorated over the years due to neglect and some have become an eyesore."

He pointed out that this is a common problem, especially in stratified residential units and some commercial real estate .

“Buildings do suffer wear and tear and the results are visible to all. We have to be realistic and ensure that this does not become a major problem not only to the property owners but also the surrounding owners and neighbourhood,” Ong added .

On the preservation of green lungs, Ong said the National Physical Planning Council has directed all state authorities to monitor local authorities in ensuring effective steps are taken to gazette green lungs .

“By Dec 31, we expect to receive progress reports to know the actual scenario on the ground .