Sarawak Cautious Against BTS System
23/06/2006 Bernama

KUCHING, June 23 (Bernama) -- Sarawak will not implement the "build-then-sell" (BTS) housing development concept just yet.

"It is not compulsory for us to implement it. If we feel the system is viable, then we will implement it," state Housing Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg said Friday.

But he added that the state government and the Housing Developers Association would deliberate on the matter thoroughly before "any decisions on it are to be made."

"We will conduct a study once we get details of the system from the federal government," he said.

Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the Cabinet has decided to enforce the BTS system in certain housing projects in the country.

The BTS is the reverse of the current "sell-then-build" system. It requires house buyers to pay 10 per cent down payment with the remainder only to be settled upon completion of the project.

It was introduced to protect house buyers from being cheated by errant developers and to ensure all approved housing projects are completed.

Najib said the Housing Act will be amended to accommodate the changes in the new housing policy.

He said the new system will be reviewed after two years.

-- BERNAMA