Tribunal Claims to be Doubled
The Star Online 13-September-2006
PETALING JAYA: Property buyers will benefit when the Homebuyers Claims
Tribunal is able to hear claims involving up to RM50,000 with a
proposed amendment to the Housing Development Act.
Currently, the tribunal is authorised to hear claims of up to RM25,000
only.
Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said in
his keynote address at the National Property and Housing Summit 2006
yesterday that some housing developers continued to run foul of the law
by delaying their projects, but they would face tougher action in
future.
Ong said some developers continued to show disrespect to the Homebuyers
Claims Tribunal that was formed in 2002.
RELAXING: (From left) Asli CEO Datuk Dr Michael Yeoh, Asli chairman Tan
Sri Jeffrey Cheah, Ong and Real Estate and Housing Developers
Association president Ng Seing Liong attending the housing summit in
Petaling Jaya yesterday.
?The tribunal was set up to provide an avenue for disputes between
buyers and housing developers to be heard where no lawyers are present
and where facts are plain to see,? said Ong.
Ong said some developers refused to comply with the tribunal's awards,
which is an offence, and that these developers only started taking
action after the ministry decided to drag them to court.
?The developers then come to the ministry and beg us to withdraw the
charge, saying that they had paid whatever was necessary to the
housebuyers,? he added.
Ong said the ministry would dismiss such requests, as it was unfair and
would be sending out the wrong message.
?Since the tribunal was set up, 16 housing developers have been
prosecuted in court for non-compliance with the tribunal's awards.?
He said developers would be blacklisted if they had delayed projects,
were fined more than RM10,000 or were repeat offenders.