06/04/2009 NST By Halim Said

KUALA LUMPUR: Stalled housing projects by developer Talam Corporation Bhd will be revived and completed within two years.

The developer has promised to complete more than 20 phases in 11 housing projects. The projects are in four areas -- Subang Jaya, Ampang, Sepang and Ulu Selangor.

The projects had been deemed as "problematic and sick housing projects" by the Housing and Local Government Ministry.

Talam senior vice-president Tan Bak Hai said the company had initiated work in stages for all the phases and most of them should be completed by the middle of next year.

He said the completion of the projects had been delayed due to financial problems.

"We suffered a financial set back due to the hike in fuel prices and construction material last year and that is why our housing projects were put on hold. Now that the fuel prices and the prices of construction materials are lower, we can resume work on our stalled projects," he said.

Tan said the 11 housing projects was worth RM1 billion and comprised 10,000 units.

"We will spend RM10 million for the revival of the housing project in the Subang Jaya municipality, which involved Lestari Puchong, Lestari Permai, Lestari Putra, Jalil Heights and Saujana Puchong," said Tan, adding that the houses in the areas were between 60 and 80 per cent completed.

Other Talam housing development in Kinrara Section 3, Lagoon Perdana, Puncak Jalil, Ukay Perdana and Bukit Beruntung are scheduled to be completed by this September.

Tan was speaking at the handing over of the Certficate of Fitness for Occupation (CFO) to residents of Taman Lestari Putra in Bandar Putra Permai, Seri Kembangan, yesterday. A total of 600 owners out of almost 3,000 received the CFO for their houses.

Also present were Seri Kembangan state assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah and Subang Jaya Municipal Council president Datuk Adnan Md Ikhsan.

Adnan said the CFO would be awarded in stages to the rest.

However, he said the council would no longer be issuing CFOs for projects approved after April 13, 2007, as it would be replaced by the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) which would be issued by professional bodies.

"We will, however, monitor all the projects," said Adnan.

The CCC is aimed at cutting down on red-tape and ensure that house buyers and building owners get to move in as quickly as possible without compromising their safety. It is also consistent with the government's desire to encourage self-regulation.