Housing standards, local authorities, developers, contractors & professionals, 13.5.2007.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw presses the Housing and Local Government Ministry and 144 local authorities such as City Hall Kuala Lumpur (CHKL) to take action against developers and contractors who don't comply with housing standards. For example, Taman Fortune, 7th Mile Kepong, has houses which are cracked with land slip. The developer BH Realty Sdn Bhd must do something about it.

Dr Tan made the call when he met residents at the Taman Fortune on 13 May, 2007.

Recently, some buildings in Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur show leakages and falling of ceilings, causing public furor. The Prime Minister is angry and feeling shameful. The Government appoints a Committee of Enquiry to investigate these public buildings. On the other hand, every year there are countless numbers of new private buildings in the country. Some are defective. Certain developers appear unable to overcome the problems of housing standards and the unhappiness of house buyers. Local authorities still issue certificate of fitness for occupation (CFO) despite the lack of standards. Now, CFO has been replaced by Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC), issued by professionals involved.

The above-stated Taman Fortune has been built on disused mining land. This means that the developer must have adequate piling to make the foundation sound. At the nearby Taman Indah Perdana, tens of buildings have cracks with landslip, getting worse in the last over 20 years. The residents of the affected houses are facing danger and the houses have no value.

Now, we are witnessing cracks and land subsidence among 26 terraced houses and there may be more. These residents request BH Realty Sdn Bhd to mend the cracks and prevent deterioration, protecting them and ensuring their safety.

There are houses with defects in many parts of the country. The affected house buyers need help.

Last year, parliament passed a series of amendment bills such as amendment to the Housing Development Act to ensure that local governments, developers, contractors, related professionals like engineers and, most of all, house buyers are protected. We believe that the Government must use these laws to help house buyers such as those in Taman Fortune.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw