A ‘healthier’ housing industry
05/02/2006 The Star

PENANG: More positive changes are in the pipeline to make the housing industry healthier.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said the ministry was in the midst of reviewing certain details in the Housing Development Act.

“The review is necessary to make sure that only responsible developers are in the industry.

“The unprofessional ones may find it hard to survive,” he told reporters after giving out ang pows and oranges to about 100 special children at the Gleneagles Medical Centre here yesterday.

Ong said his ministry was currently preparing the details of the review to be presented to the Cabinet soon.

“The Housing Development Act was last reviewed in 2002. And, quite a number of loopholes have been plugged.

“But, based on several incidents in the last few years, we feel that there are details that can still be further improved,” he said.

He reiterated that developers were only allowed to deliver their completed housing units to housebuyers after conditions pertaining to the Certificate of Fitness (CF) were adhered to.

“Irresponsible developers who try to take a short-cut will be dealt with. Among the actions will be to single them out for stringent supervision on their projects,” he said.