Ong: Councils still have a say

Ong: Councils still have a say
The Star 28/3/2005

KUALA LUMPUR: Local authorities will still have a say on housing projects although they will no longer issue certificates of fitness (CFs) from next year.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said local authorities would still be responsible for approving development of housing projects and building plans.

“When housing schemes are under construction, local authority officials have the power to go in and check on compliance of building bylaws.

“The existing rules and regulations governing local authorities are still intact,” he said after launching five part-time degree programmes of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) here yesterday.

The Cabinet recently decided that local authorities would no longer issue CFs next year and professional bodies, instead, would issue the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC).

The decision was aimed at relieving local authorities from the task of issuing CFs and, therefore, reducing red tape in getting approval for buildings.

The move was opposed by the Housebuyers Association (HBA), which did not think it was a good idea to let professional bodies take over the role of issuing such certificates.

The HBA reasoned that in allowing professional bodies to take over the role of local authorities in issuing the certificates, a clash of interest between the professional bodies and developers might occur.

On this, Ong said professional bodies were regulated and supervised by rules and laws.

“They have to act in accordance with their professionalism and the local authorities will check the projects while they are under construction.

“With tight controls, supervision and heavy penalties, it can come to a situation where the professionals (approving the CCC) have to be doubly careful before signing the document,” he said, adding that the Government would look out for any “black sheep.”

He said professional bodies had been issuing the CCC for the building of bungalows since 2000.

He said the Government had deliberated at length to ensure the interest of the buyers was looked after.