KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Housing and Local Government should make it compulsory for developers to register with statutory bodies such as the Sabah Housing Real Estate Development Association (Shareda).
Parti Keadilan Rakyat Supreme Council member Christina Liew when met after launching the city cleanliness campaign by the Api Api constituency here yesterday, said this would not only be vital in protecting the interest of buyers but would also help with issues pertaining to abandoned projects.
“Why don’t the Ministry of Housing and Local Government make it mandatory (for developers to register with statutory bodies) before they issue the developer’s licence? This should be done to protect the interest of buyers.
“Why? Because some of the developers are not members (of Shareda). So when a development goes wrong, where do the buyers go? Shareda cannot help when the developers concerned are not their members,” said Liew.
She also pointed out that such legislation would help curb the issue of abandoned projects through the setting up of a revolving fund.
“This will help complete abandoned housing projects. If you are a developer and you abandon your project, the revolving fund must step up and complete the project so that buyers will not suffer the consequences of abandoned projects.
“Further, if there is a suit case and a developer loses, the revolving fund will pay to compensate.
“Such a system will protect the interest of buyers, which is what the government should be doing, and will solve abandoned projects issue because members will be forced to complete projects. Developers will be more aware of their responsibility,” said Liew.