Developers Slammed For Silencing Home Buyers Over Defective Units, DBKL To Form Task Force To Resolve Strata Property Issues, And More
18th May – 23rd May
The National House Buyers Association (HBA) has slammed property developers who require home buyers to sign an agreement preventing them from divulging of defects in construction which are remedied during the defective liability period (DLP).
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is set to form a task force to address the issues faced by residents of strata properties within Malaysia’s capital.
1) Developers slammed for silencing home buyers over defective units
The National House Buyers Association (HBA) has slammed property developers who require home buyers to sign an agreement preventing them from divulging of defects in construction which are remedied during the defective liability period (DLP).
Chang Kim Loong, Secretary-General of HBA, said home buyers who sign the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) will be exposed “to potential legal action if they share with others details of the defects in their properties”, reported Free Malaysia Today.
“This must be stopped,” he added.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) urged home buyers who were forced to sign NDAs to report such developers with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT).
The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) Senior Manager S Baskaran said KPKT must protect home buyers from irresponsible property developers, with its officials visiting units with shoddy workmanship upon receipt of complaints.
“If the property is defective, then what is sold by the developer is not as advertised,” he said. “This can be construed as misleading advertising.”
2) DBKL to form task force to resolve strata property issues
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is set to form a task force to address the issues faced by residents of strata properties within Malaysia’s capital.
The problems include the formation of the joint management body (JMB) and irresponsible strata management, reported Bernama citing Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah.
Mahadi noted that while these problems have been existing for a long time and nothing has been resolved to date.
“Therefore, DBKL needs to take immediate steps so that the matter can be resolved for the well-being of the residents in the strata housing areas in the capital,” he said.
3) Developers blame local authorities for housing delays
Housing developers point to a “misalignment” between the federal government’s housing policies and those of state and local authorities as the reason for the delay in delivering houses to buyers.
They noted that while the housing policies set by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) are very clear and robust, the state and local authorities often have their own interpretations of such policies, reported Free Malaysia Today.
In fact, they even implement new policies, making it taxing for developers.
Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Acting President NK Tong said the association is in favour of “robust regulations to deliver houses faster”.
“We want to build good solid homes but it has to be done quickly,” he said.
4) Malaysia, Thailand set up joint committee to discuss HSR project
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong revealed that a joint special committee will be set up by Malaysia and Thailand to look into the proposed High Speed Rail (HSR) project connecting Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.
Wee – who had a bilateral meeting with his Thailand counterpart Saksayam Chidchob – noted that the committee will discuss the finer points relating to the route, planning and other technical aspects of the HSR project, reported The Star.
He added that the joint special committee will be headed by Malaysia’s Transport Ministry Secretary-General as well as the permanent secretary of Thailand’s Ministry of Transport.
Wee also expressed gratitude for Thailand’s cooperation in launching the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) between the two countries in March.
“I wish to thank Saksayam for Thailand’s cooperation with Malaysia in successfully launching the VTL between our countries in March 2022, even though it was just a few days before we reopened our borders on 1 April,” he said.
5) Johor’s RTS Link to absorb 35% of traffic at Causeway
Mass Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) CEO Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim believes the Rail Transit System (RTS) Link project will absorb 35% of traffic at the Causeway once it is fully operational by 1 January 2027.
The RTS project is expected to transport 10,000 passengers per hour via its stations at Bukit Chagar and Singapore’s Woodlands North, reported Malay Mail.
“Once the RTS is fully operational, we are expecting to see 35% out of the daily 350,000 travellers recorded before the pandemic period who commute daily between Malaysia and Singapore using the Causeway,” said Mohd Zarif.
He noted that the RTS should not be viewed as a construction progress only, but also as a project with economic spillover effects which could attract foreign investments into the state.
“Among the economic sectors that may stand to benefit from having the RTS were health care, higher education and also hospitality,” said Mohd Zarif.
6) TRX infrastructure 99% complete
The infrastructure of Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) is now 99% completed, with the other 1% also nearing completion, said the financial district’s master developer TRX City Sdn Bhd.
“Although we were constrained by the Movement Control Order (MCO) resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, we managed to continue developing TRX and the successfully completed buildings today are Menara Prudential and HSBC Bank,” said TRX City CEO Datuk Azmar as quoted by Bernama.
He noted that the Affin Bank building will be ready for occupation in Q3 2022 since they have already secured a Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC).
Azmar explained that while TRX city is the master developer of the financial district, the individual plots’ development will depend on the respective landowners.
7) Gurney Wharf cost increased to RM200mil
The cost for mega recreational waterfront project Gurney Wharf – which was initially set at about RM176 million – had increased to RM200 million, said Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
In fact, it is expected to increase further due to escalating costs in the future, reported The Star.
“We will deal with the increasing cost if it is highlighted and any increase will be further negotiated,” he said.
Located in George Town, Penang, Gurney Wharf is set to be fully completed by early 2025, with Priority One likely to open within a year.
“We expect this part to be open first, but it will depend on the safety of the site,” said Chow.
