Tuesday - 26 July 2006
 

HOUSING developers adopting the build-and-sell concept will be given incentives as part of efforts to promote the scheme.

Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun said the incentives included exempting developers from paying RM200,000 for each housing development licence they applied for.

Azizah was replying to Senator Dr Mohd Puad Zakashi, who enquired on steps taken to promote the concept. She said developers exempted from building low-cost houses would instead be required to build medium-cost units.

Azizah said developers using the build-and-sell concept would be given fast planning approvals.

She said the concept had its advantages and disadvantages.

"There is a possibility the cost of homes could go up by 20 per cent but not 100 per cent," she said, adding that the concept would ensure that no projects would be abandoned.



More essential utility services to be categorised

THE Government plans to categorise telecommunications as an essential utility service to ensure that developers build the necessary infrastructure in their projects before handing them to buyers.

Deputy Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said unlike telecommunications, water and electricity were gazetted as essential services under the Uniform Buildings By-Laws 1984.

He told Senator Datuk Ikhwan Salim Sujak that due to this requirement, developers must equip their projects with water and electricity infrastructure before buyers moved in.

"But in the case of telecommunication services, it is up to developers to provide the project infrastructure."

If this shortcoming was not addressed, the Government’s aim of providing a comprehensive telecommunication infrastructure and services nationwide will not be achieved.