KUCHING: Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen has called for amendments to the relevant part of the Sarawak Housing Development Ordinance (SHDC) and its Standard Sales and Purchase Agreement so that ordinary house buyers will receive the same benefits and protection (if not better) as those in West Malaysia.
He was commenting on the High Court’s ruling two days ago that under the Sarawak Ordinance, the time for delivery of houses would only start on the date of the Sale and Purchase Agreement, not the date of payment of booking fees.
“In other words, according to the High Court’s decision, the provisions under the SHDC are less favourable to the house buyers compared to the similar provisions in West Malaysia.
“At times, the payment of booking fees and the date of the Sale and Purchase Agreement can be months apart. The provisions in the Sarawak law will give developers a loophole to circumvent the 24-month period to complete and deliver the houses, thus, compromising the protection given to the house purchasers.
“While the law in West Malaysia gives better rights and protection to the ordinary house buyers, locals are subjected to less favourableprotection and rights,” he added.
In this context, Chong urged GPS as the government of today, to pass laws “protecting the rights of the ordinary people as purchasers.”
