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253 Abandoned Private Housing Projects Recorded Since 2009 - Noh Omar

Last update: 24/02/2017

PORT KLANG, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- As many as 253 abandoned private housing projects were recorded in Peninsular Malaysia from 2009 until now.



Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar said the number comprised 64,291 housing units that involved 43,538 house buyers.



"Of the total, 31 projects were restored in stages using government funds since 2009 with an overall expenditure of RM204.8 million," he told reporters after handing over house keys and Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (CFO) to residents of Taman Tradisi Indah here, today.



Noh said Selangor recorded the highest number of abandoned private housing projects, namely 81, comprising 29,134 units that involved 20,640 house buyers.



"However, nine of the projects were successfully completed, including the one in Taman Tradisi Indah at a cost of RM60 million," he said.



According to him, financial problems were identified as the main factor for housing projects being abandoned since developers cited increased fees imposed by local authorities on contractors.



Besides abandoned projects, he said house buyers also faced problems if the developer did not have a Housing Developer's Licence and Advertising Permit and Valid Sale licence.



In the Peninsular alone, the ministry identified 209 housing projects that cannot be occupied as the developer did not have valid developer's licence.



"Of the total, 148 projects involved contractors in Selangor ... this is a serious problem as the ministry is only able to revive abandoned projects if it had the licence, or else it is very difficult or impossible to help the buyers," he said.



-- BERNAMA