Tackling abandoned housing woes

17/06/2008 New Straits Times

Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainudin (centre) assuring the disgruntled house buyers of abandoned projects yesterday.

SERI KEMBANGAN: A proposal for a National Housing Policy will be submitted to Parliament by the end of this year.

Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainudin said the new policy will prevent the abandonment of housing projects and provide a sense of security to buyers.

"About 270 housing projects have been abandoned since 2000. We are planning to reduce this number after the new policy is established," said Hamzah.

During a tour of several abandoned projects, he said the ministry was trying to get the interest on mortgages reduced for the buyers in such projects.

He added that those who have a government loan will get a deferment on all payments until the project is completed.

Streets recently highlighted Taman Lestari Permai, Taman Lestari Puchong and Taman Lestari Perdana, all housing projects abandoned by Talam Corp Bhd in 2003.

Some 100 disgruntled house buyers met Hamzah during his visit to the developments.

They said they were reassured by his promise to follow closely the monthly reports to be submitted by IJM Corp Bhd, which has taken over the project.