CHONG Kee understands the hardship that purchasers of abandoned projects go through. This is because he was a victim himself. 

Having experienced the uncertainties and difficulties regarding the fate of his abandoned two-storey shop office in Gelang Patah, Johor, he decided to buy up the whole project.  

Chong Kee

The project comprised 22 shop houses and 197 terrace houses and low and medium-cost units. He managed to complete it with the Certificate of Fitness (CF) issued in 2001. 

The second project he successfully revived was in Saleng, near Kulai, Johor, comprising 168 units of low- and medium-cost housing that he completed in 2002. This was followed by a project in Seremban covering 12 shophouses, 27 terrace houses, eight semi-detached houses and 27 bungalows. They were completed with the CF issued in July 2003. 

The fourth project, which he is currently refurbishing, is also in Johor Baru comprising a completed block of 48 apartment units (1,700 sq ft each).  

“The original developer who launched the project in the 1980s sold the same unit to three people and dared not hand over to them. I bought it at an auction for RM3mil. The market valuation is about RM9.2mil,” Chong said, adding that he was not selling yet as he might decide to sell en bloc later.  

He said he might build another block of 24 apartment units on the 1.9-acre freehold land.  

Chong said he might also take over another stalled bumiputra-reserved project in Kajang comprising 410 mixed units (60 double-storey terrace houses, 110 low-cost flats and 240 units of apartments). 

He is even prepared to help the Government rehabilitate the numerous low-cost housing projects “for free” if it meant helping the low-income folks salvage their property.