Only two extensions allowed

Malay Mail 11/07/2001 By Rosma Omar

Only two extensions.

That is the maximum to be given to developers issued with the Temporary Certificate (TCF) by City Hall.

Its deputy director-general, Ruslin Hassan, said City Hall was not in favour of extending TCFs although they are renewable every six months.

"TCFs have to be issued to allow developers to rectify minor defects to the premises but an extension is only issued if they have valid reasons," said Ruslin.

City Hall has identified 231 premises where TCFs have been extended for more than a year from  last year until June this year.

The longest case was Pusat Bandar Damansara which had been operating on TCF for 10 years due to land problem and development charges.

" We have called the developer and the problem has been solved. A full CF was issued to the developer early this year," he said.

On why TCFs are being extended for years, Ruslin said in most cases it was because the developers did not apply for the extensions.

That is why we are now asking all the developers to submit their TCF extensions two months before the expiry date," he said, adding that water supply and functional fire-fighting equipment are a prerequisite to the issuance to TCF.

According to Ruslin, City Hall can summon developers who do not apply for TCF extensions but in the end, the buyers are the ones who suffer.

"The law allows us to vacate the building until the developer fulfils the conditions stipulated under the TCF and then apply for the full Certificate of Fitness (CF) for the premises," he said.

On the issuance of CF, Ruslin said it was not solely City Halls's responsibility.

Other departments like the Fire and Rescue Services Department, Sewerage Department, Waterworks Department and Tenaga Nasional Bhd are also involved.

"The developers must meet requirements set by these departments and get their clearance before we issue the CF," he said.

For better monitoring, City Hall requires developers to fill up Form E which must be endorsed by the respective departments.

"The CF can be issued within two days once the forms are endorsed by the departments," said Ruslin.

He added that developers must also comply with City Hall's requirements such as providing access roads, parking areas, fields and sanitary features before the CF can be issued.