Fewer complaints from housebuyers at Claims Tribunal
16/01/2008  New Straits Times By : Irdiani Mohd Salleh

KUALA LUMPUR, WED:

The number of complaints lodged at the Homebuyers Claims Tribunal has been steadily dropping since 2004.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said there was a drop of more than 50 per cent in cases last year compared to 2004.

Only 3,000 cases were reported last year, with 2,363 solved.

In 2004, there were 6,524 cases registered with the tribunal, of which all but 18 were solved.

In 2005, the tribunal received 5,624 complaints and solved 5,541 while the following years saw 3,667 out of 3,821 cases solved.

“This tribunal serves as a deterrent to developers who are trying to use various tactics to take advantage of house buyers.

“The ministry will not compromise with delinquent developers,” said Ong after a briefing on amendments to the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act and Regulations 2007 to developers yesterday.