Task force to revive abandoned housing projects soon

KOTA KINABALU: A special task force will be set up to deal with abandoned housing projects nationwide, Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Lajim Ukin said.

He said the decision was made by the Special Task Force to Facilitate Business (Pemudah) and that the team would comprise senior officers from various government agencies and the private sector related to the housing industry.

"The government is serious about resolving this issue and that is why a special team is needed to oversee these abandoned projects," he said after chairing a meeting on abandoned housing projects at Wisma Tun Fuad Stephens here on Friday, Mar 11.

He said the ministry received many complaints on housing projects which had run into problems, causing burden to the buyers, especially in terms of loan repayment.

Lajim said from 2009 to 2010, a total of 161 abandoned housing projects were recorded nationwide, of which 58 were being restored or in the process of appointing new developers to complete the project.

The ministry was also looking for white knight contractors for 52 other projects, he said. — Bernama