By Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, Dec 3: A total of 57 sick private housing projects across Sarawak have been identified and are being extensively monitored by the Jawatankuasa Teknikal Pemantauan Projek Perumahan.
During a press conference at the media room today, Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government II (Public Health & Housing) Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee revealed that 23 of these projects have been either fully or partially restored, while an additional 20 projects have successfully resumed construction.
“This achievement indicates that our task force is focusing and intensifying our monitoring those private housing development projects across Sarawak,” he said, adding that the goal is to revive projects that are sick to ensure house purchasers’ rights are protected.
Tiang confirmed the seriousness of the issue, disclosing that one housing development project in Sibu was officially declared abandoned on October 28, 2025.
“A declaration that a housing project is abandoned is not a mere warning. In fact, it carries a lot of legal consequences,” he said.
Under Section 27(2) of the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Ordinance 2013, Tiang said MPHLG will collaborate with the State Attorney General’s Chambers to institute prosecution against the developer’s company, its directors, managers, and other involved officers.
He added that the Ministry also reserves the right to blacklist notorious developers who continually fail to deliver on their promises to homebuyers.
Addressing another high-profile project, Tiang confirmed that the Sarawak government is actively seeking a white knight to take over the troubled Borneo Samariang Resort City (BSRC) project.
“As you know there are some liabilities of the previous developers, which, the new white knight, if they come, they need to resolve all these liabilities,” he stated, confirming that the issue of developer liability is the main hurdle that must be resolved before a takeover can be finalised.
Tiang, who is also the Pelawan assemblyman, reminded the public that when a developer fails to fulfil their obligations under the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA), affected house purchasers are entitled to a full refund, including compensation of up to 10 per cent of the house purchase price.
Purchasers facing issues are advised to seek legal counsel to formally terminate the SPA.
Additionally, Tiang shared financial relief initiatives are available for those with housing loans such as the moratorium and interest exemption as well as civil servant relief. — DayakDaily
