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Derelict housing projects are whose fault?

I read with disquiet the prime minister’s statement that 74 percent of abandoned housing projects have been rehabilitated by the government. It was as if it was a great achievement of the government. It was as if the government has gone beyond its responsibility and duty to help the people.

According to the PM, buying a house is a “private transaction” between a buyer and a private company and therefore it has nothing to do with the government. Hence, whatever the government did to alleviate the plight of the house buyers is a “favour”.

Dear PM, I think you are very ill-advised to come up with a statement like this. Do you know what you have just said? Yes, you are the head of the government and yet you do not seem to understand the regulatory and supervisory roles and functions of the government.

Whose fault was it if we have hundreds of abandoned private housing projects in the country? (I don’t have the figures with me, but as stated in the report, if 10.7 percent is 23 abandoned projects and if 15.3 percent is another 33 projects, I am sure 100 percent is more than 200 abandoned projects.)

Have you ever asked why there are so many abandoned housing projects in the country in the first place? I know these are private projects, but whose fault was it ultimately? Who sets the policies and regulations on housing development? Who regulates the industry and approve the projects? Who supervises the advertisement on houses put up for sales? Who sets the terms and standards in sales and purchase agreements, particularly on low and medium cost housing?  

Who determines and monitor the reliability and credibility of our housing developers? Who sets the amount of developer bonds? Why are we still practicing ‘sell and then build’ system and not ‘build and then sell’? When are we going to overhaul the whole housing industry with proper regulations, surety and enforcement?

It is as if you do not know Malaysian house buyers have been short-changed, bullied and intimidated by housing developers for decades now. Poor finishing, under-table money, not fulfilling the agreement, delay and abandoned projects are common occurrences experienced by most Malaysians.

Don’t be distracted by the symptoms

Unless we tackle the poor regulations, corruption and the lack of monitoring and enforcement in the housing industry, the problems of abandoned housing projects will remain no matter the number of projects the government has helped to resolve using taxpayers’ money. Like solving all problems, please don’t be distracted by the symptoms, but look at the causes.

Over the years I am sure many of our public officials and ministers must have visited our neighbour down south to look at Singapore’s HDB systems and projects. It is a land-scarce country with very limited supply of building materials and yet it was able to provide at least a decent flat to almost every Singaporean. At the very least, these flats are also well managed with basic amenities, cleanliness and hygiene emphasised.  

Are you saying the developers/the HDB in Singapore are more altruistic than their Malaysian counterparts? I would appreciate it if you can take a look at the conditions of our low-cost flats to note the difference. Dilapidating is the most apt word.

Dear PM, there are no simple solutions to a complex problem. Complex problems require elaborate and careful study, formulation of policies and regulations, and strict implementation and compliance. It is never ad-hoc, piecemeal and a flash in the pan. Rescuing abandoned housing projects means grants and subsidies to the developers, not help extended to poor housebuyers, just in case you are mistaken.  

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