Jan 22, 2010

Sarawak’s housing tribunal to begin hearing cases against developers

KUCHING: Newly-formed claims tribunal to hear complaints from unhappy house buyers will start hearing cases from April, said State Housing and Urban Development Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said the seven-member panel comprising professionals of different disciplines was set up recently.

“We are ready to hear the complaints of the buyers in three months’ time,’’ he told reporters after his first meeting with City South Mayor James Chan and council’s senior officials here.

The tribunal was set up after the Housing Developers (Control and Licensing) (Amendment) Act was passed by the state assembly two months ago.

Under the law, a claim has to be filed by a house buyer within 12 months from the issuance of the house’s occupation permit or before the expiry date of the defect liability, whichever is later.

Maximum claim or counter-claim to be filed with the tribunal is up to RM40,000 or RM80,000 if approved by the minister concerned.

Abang Johari, who took over the Urban Development Ministry last month, said house buyers could file complaints on poor workmanship, late delivery of houses, late issuance of occupation permit or failure to refund money for aborted purchase of houses against errant developers.

The ministry received some 20 complaints from house buyers last year, up from two in 2005.

On the city’s stage bus service, Abang Johari said he had instructed the City South Council and City North Commission to put in place an efficient public transport system within five years.

He said an efficient bus service would encourage more to use public transport, minimising traffic congestion especially during peak hours.

Commuters in several parts of the city have been adversely affected after Chin Lian Long Motor Vehicle Co, the city’s oldest stage bus operator, ceased operations due to losses.