Minister would do better to ensure law on strata titles is enforced

NST 25/06/2003

I read with dismay the remarks made by the Minister of Land and Cooperative Development Tan Sri Kasitah Gaddam when put the blame on developers for not applying and not furnishing adequate information for the processing and the issuance of strata titles (NST, June 23). He admitted that this was one of the main problems faced by his ministry.

Parliament has deemed it serious enough to pass the Strata Title Act 1985 and to prescribe severe penalties for failure to submit applications for strata titles.

Offenders can be made to pay a fine of up to RM100,000 and further fines of RM1,000 (maximum) per day for every day the offence continues to be committed.

A defective submission is deemed to be no submission and is subject to the same penalties.

It is unfortunate that the minister has chosen the passive approach to quibble about developers not submitting or submitting incomplete applications, when the law categorically gives him the clout to discipline the offenders.

I have not heard of any developer being prosecuted for failure to submit applications for strata titles. Is it surprising that they continue to ignore the law?

Parliament enacts laws for the protection and well-being of the public at large. Allowing the public to suffer through one's reluctance to enforce the law is tantamount to betraying the people who buy apartments and condominiums.

Brig Jen (B) Datuk Goh Seng Toh

Shah Alam

Related article: Developers blamed for strata title delay - NST 23/06/2003