Delayed, 'sick,' abandoned housing projects to increase, PM Anwar wants affordable housing requirements for developers reviewed and more

30th May – 5th June

Deputy Local Government Development Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir expects to see an increase in delayed, sick and abandoned private housing projects, due to the enforcement of the COVID-19 movement control order.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants the Local Government Development Ministry (KPKT) to review the conditions set for housing developers in order to ensure that they include affordable housing in their mega projects.

1. Delayed, ‘sick’, abandoned housing projects to increase

Deputy Local Government Development Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir expects to see an increase in delayed, sick and abandoned private housing projects, due to the enforcement of the COVID-19 movement control order.

As of 31 March, Malaysia has 110 delayed, 435 sick and 112 abandoned private housing projects, reported Bernama.

Akmal Nasrullah said the task force in charge of such projects is focused on reducing the number of sick projects by helping developers find solutions to complete them.

“There are several aspects that we look into including the developer’s ability to complete the project, the problems faced, and the task force will try to facilitate the process,” he said.

The task force also makes projections on which projects may be problematic in the future and look into possible proposals for improvement, including amending Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966 or Act 118.

2. PM Anwar wants affordable housing requirements for developers reviewed

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants the Local Government Development Ministry (KPKT) to review the conditions set for housing developers in order to ensure that they include affordable housing in their mega projects.

Since 1981, private housing developers are required to build at least 30% of affordable housing within their mega-housing projects, reported Bernama.

Anwar said developers must comply with the 30% affordable housing requirements according to the schedule and scale set so that the middle-income group can acquire their own homes.

He noted that home ownership is a real issue for such a group.

In fact, around 200,000 homes priced at RM300,000 and below are needed to meet the demand for civil servants across the country.

3. Ampang Jaya property owners urged to settle assessment tax

In a bid to collect RM17 million in unpaid taxes, the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) has urged Ampang Jaya property owners to settle their assessment tax or have their belongings confiscated.

MPAJ President Dr Ani Ahmad revealed that notices will be sent out to property owners with tax arrears of more than RM200, reported The Star.

“The assessment tax will go towards upgrading and maintenance of facilities in the Ampang Jaya municipality,” she said.

If they are unable to pay the lump sum, the property owners can appeal to MPAJ and ask that they be allowed to pay in instalments, she added.

She shared that the council is carrying out periodic operations against those who failed to pay their assessment tax for over two years.

In fact, MPAJ conducted an operation on 21 May at eight premises within Taman Bukit Indah, Ampang to recover RM258,842 in unpaid taxes.

However, only RM82,220 was collected from the defaulters.

4. Long wait for land titles continues

After 20 years, some of the residents at Taman Lestari Putra in Seri Kembangan, Selangor are still waiting for the land title of their leasehold property.

They pointed out that the failure of the developer to convert the master title of the housing scheme into individual titles would complicate the future sales and purchase of their properties.

As such, they are calling on the relevant authorities to help resolve the problem, reported The Star.

Launched in 2003, the scheme comprises 8,000 units of double-storey and single-storey homes.

A liquidator had been appointed by the state government following the developer’s failure to pay the land premium for around 60% of the homes, with the amount owed standing at between RM4,000 and RM17,000.

Meanwhile, a portion of the housing area that was earmarked as bumiputra lots had over 50 homes which have been sold to non-bumiputra owners.

According to the Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS), these homeowners will have to pay penalties ranging from RM25,000 to RM35,000.

“We don’t have an income to make the payments,” said 64-year-old resident Mohamud Mohamad.

5. MBSJ continues operation against illegal extensions and structures

Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) has resumed its operation against illegal extensions and structures at Jalan Bandar Puteri 2/3 in Bandar Puteri Puchong.

With 13 premises identified for enforcement, the operation saw illegal structures demolished as well as the removal of drain covers built in violation of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133), reported The Star.

The joint operation team comprised of personnel from several MBSJ departments, including enforcement, building, engineering, licensing and environmental management.

After the demolitions were completed, workers from KDEB Waste Management cleared the drains.

George Yap Kok Weng, MBSJ councillor for Zone 16, revealed that MBSJ will continue to conduct periodic monitoring of commercial areas.

With this, he advised building owners and tenants against throwing rubbish and food waste into the drains.

“They must also ensure their drain covers can be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance,” he added.

6. DBKL urged to repair ageing flats

Residents of old Kuala Lumpur public housing projects and people’s housing projects (PPR) urged Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to increase its funding for repair and maintenance of these ageing buildings.

The call comes after a thunderstorm on 19 May ripped out a wall at a Loke Yew flat.

“The older government housing schemes are simply no longer practical for today’s climate and lifestyle,” said Mohd Zainuddin Amran, Chairma of Kampung Malaysia Raya Rukun Tetangga as quoted by The Star.

DBKL revealed that the thunderstorm on 19 May damaged six of its housing schemes – with damage reported including broken rooftop, awnings and walls – all of which have already been repaired.

Aside from DBKL flats, 15 schools in the city were also damaged by the heavy rains.