PUTRAJAYA: Developers have been urged to treat housebuyers not only as end-users but also as partners in their business, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said. 

Like any other winning partnerships, mutual respect and understanding of one’s rights were key factors that would help both parties see through the successful implementation of a project, he said. 

“On my ministry’s part, we will continue to improve enforcement measures to ensure proper monitoring so that the possibility of delays or abandonment of a project is minimised,” he said at the Real  

Estate and Housing Developers Association (Rehda)'s 35th anniversary dinner on Friday.  

IN APPRECIATION: KSM chairman Lo Kong Boon (left) presenting a souvenir to former chairman Datuk Lau Yin Pin (right) while Ong looks on.

Ong said a major concern that continued to beset the industry was the gap between pricing and affordability. 

As a result, more housebuyers were pushed out of the cities and urban areas, he said. 

He also noted that project abandonment, poor quality and late delivery, though not rampant in recent times, were some of the major setbacks which caused stress to housebuyers. 

“This has also resulted in the Government having to divert efforts and resources to ensure that the interest of buyers are protected.” 

In conjunction with its anniversary, Rehda contributed RM500,000 to Utar.  

In Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Ong commended Koperasi Serbaguna Malaysia Berhad (KSM) for its foresight to have invested in oil palm plantations a few years ago even before oil palm became one of the most sought-after commodities in the global market. 

“Now the competition in the palm oil industry is so stiff that many have expanded their investment abroad. But KSM has acquired land in Miri, Sarawak for investment a few years ago,” Ong, who is the MCA president said. 

He said KSM had shown its financial prudence although the returns from oil palm investments were only expected in three years. 

Citing his recent visit to China with the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Ong said the Chinese leaders had shown keen interest in Malaysia’s oil palm industry. 

He said KSM would continue to be one of the most important projects under MCA for it was one of the party’s investment arms. 

“The party places great emphasis on economy and the recent setting up of the Chinese Economic Consultative Council is to further improve and uplift the economic status of the community,” he said at KSM's 26th annual general meeting at Wisma MCA here.