By Geryl Ogilvy
KUCHING, April 17: The Sarawak government is rushing to complete its papers to amend the Strata Titles Ordinance while also tabling a new bill on Strata Titles Management during the coming State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting.
Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said the bill to amend the Strata Titles Ordinance would regulate the issuance of strata titles, especially with regards to new building concepts.
Meanwhile, the Strata Titles Management Bill seeks to regulate the management and maintenance of building properties
These amendments would address all matters relating to maintenance and management of building properties, including the facilities, he explained.
“Now that we have so many apartments, condominiums, buildings with new designs and concepts as well as taking into account new projects, we need to update the laws to address grey areas with regards to shared responsibility for building management and maintenance.
“At the same time, we need to resolve issues pertaining to the issuance of strata titles for new building concepts.
“The bills will spell out who is responsible for the properties in every possible scenario,” he told reporters after presenting strata titles to residents of RPR Sepakat Jaya, Demak Laut, here today.
Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Abang Hipni and Housing Development Corporation (HDC) chairman Datuk Dr Abang Abdul Rauf Abang Zen were also present.
While the Strata Titles Ordinance would be retained under the Ministry of Urban Development and Natural Resources, the proposed Strata Titles Management legislation would be under the purview of the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, Dr Sim said.
“I will check with the urban development and natural resources ministry to see whether the bills could be tabled in time for the DUN sitting as both bills needed to be presented simultaneously,” he added.
On a related note, Dr Sim said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had allocated RM11 million to aid the process of obtaining strata titles for homeowners of HDC flats throughout the state.
The funds would be used for property surveying works and other administrative matters.
Under HDC, there are 15,272 units of flats, where 892 units have been issued strata titles. This involves two projects namely RPR Sepakat Jaya in Demak Laut and RPR Taman Ixora, Kapit.
HDC has set a two-year target to complete the issuance of strata titles to all property owners.
“There are only two requirements to obtain the strata title for the flat unit. The owner has to complete the bank loan payment and ensure there is no lapse in management fees of their property.
“Those who have finished their loan and no arrears in management fees can obtain their strata title letter from HDC,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Sim presented strata titles to 28 share units. RPR Sepakat Jaya Demak Laut, completed in 2000, has 640 units, with 256 units for rental and 384 for sale. Strata titles were issued for the whole units early this year. — DayakDaily
