By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 28: A total of 60 private housing development projects across Sarawak have been identified as problematic as of Aug 2026, with the Ministry of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Sarawak (MPHLG) identifying a rising number of problematic projects in the Sibu Division.
According to a statement issued by the ministry, this includes the possibility of declaring the 10-year-delayed Kemuyang Heights project abandoned if the developer remains unable or unwilling to make significant progress in fulfilling its obligations.
“As for the Harmony Commercial & Residence project, 61 affordable housing units remain without an Occupation Permit (OP) despite the infrastructure and building works having been substantially completed due to certain works which were not carried out in accordance with the approved plans.
“The ministry is also investigating issues relating to the sale of affordable housing above the approved selling price. The developer is targeted to resume construction by Jan 2027,” it said.
Meanwhile, the MPHLG said another problematic project, Lot 287, Block 9 Lukut Kanowit, has progressed despite various hurdles encountered during the implementation phase.
After more than seven years of delay, the project is now approaching completion and is pending inspection by the authorities.
Additionally, the ministry noted the Taman Muhibbah project in the Sarikei Division, which it said had been delayed by more than seven years before it was declared abandoned on May 16, 2026, after the developer failed to fulfil its obligations to complete the development and deliver vacant possession to the house purchasers.
It said that under the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Ordinance, 2013, a housing developer who abandons or causes to be abandoned a housing development or any phase of housing development shall commit an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of not less than RM250,000 but not exceeding RM500,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not exceeding three years or to both.
The Ordinance also provides for liability involving directors, managers and other responsible officials where the relevant legal requirements are met.
“The rehabilitation of an abandoned project is a complex process and requires thorough studies to assess a project’s viability to be revived. Nevertheless, an abandoned project can be potentially revived when all parties are prepared to cooperate and fulfil their respective responsibilities.”
The ministry said Kejora Dijaya Sdn Bhd was appointed as the designated housing developer on July 13, 2026, to revive Taman Muhibbah and safeguard the interests of affected house purchasers.
“The ministry will continue to pursue a balanced approach by facilitating recovery, rendering necessary facilitation and intervention toward problematic projects where there is a genuine commitment to complete the project.
“Developers who continue to dishonour their contractual and statutory obligations will face firm actions under the law,” it said.
Of the 60 private housing development projects identified, 46.7 per cent have been fully or partially completed or resolved while 53.3 per cent remain under intervention in the static and resumed categories with two projects declared abandoned. — DayakDaily
