Ministry to revive 35 abandoned projects this year

SEREMBAN (Jan 6): The Ministry of Housing and Local Government has targeted to revive 35 abandoned housing projects throughout the country by this year.

Its minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung said the target was the main Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for the ministry this year. "Since 2009 we have revived 84 abandoned housing projects throughout the country. Almost all these projects involved low-cost housing projects because that is our main focus," he told reporters after handing over the keys to house owners at Taman Kerisi, Seremban and Taman Bukit Ara, Kuala Pilah on Thursday.

He said 31 projects had been revived last year while the ministry had taken various measures to curb developers from abandoning their projects.

Chor said the revival of the Taman Kerisi and Taman Bukit Ara projects comprising 126 units in Taman Kerisi and 72 units in the latter involved 177 buyers and cost RM8 million.

Both projects were abandoned for between six and eight years before the government stepped in to revive both the projects. He said the amendments to the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act, 1966 was approved by the Parliament recently and meant to ensure the orderly development of the housing industry and protect house buyers.

"The legislations are in place to ensure the success of housing schemes and to minimise abuse and quarrels between developers and buyers. Section 7 (F) of the Act stipulates that developers have to submit half-yearly reports to the ministry on the progress of their projects".

"Legal action may be taken against irresponsible developers who abandon projects without valid reasons. Through the amendments we hope to see responsible developers undertaking housing projects," he said. — Bernama