KUCHING, April 14: The state needs to introduce a mechanism to enable the government to liaise with relevant agencies to facilitate the issuance of strata-titles.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the issuance of strata-titles could help property owners deal with local councils even if their buildings have yet to be issued occupational permits.
He cited certain cases, in particularly those involving state-built flats, as examples where the local council could not come in to carry out maintenance due to the absence of occupational permits. This often left residents in limbo, having to deal with rundown and unkempt property.
“Buildings not meeting specifications are among the problems that led to the non-issuance of occupational permits. When this happens, the local council could not come in to maintain the property.
“This (proposed) mechanism should ease dealings between the state government and local councils, including agencies such as the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA), especially when the developer has closed shop or simply disappeared,” Wan Junaidi told reporters after his walkabout at Tabuan Hilir here on Saturday.
He explained that amendments to the Strata Titles Act 1985 was tabled by his ministry two years ago, which aimed to facilitate land acquisition involving strata development.
“I will check with the state if there is such a mechanism to facilitate issuance of strata-titles. In the peninsula, there are 300,000 of such cases involving commercial and residential properties,” he continued.
On a different note, the Santubong incumbent MP said he is ready to defend his seat come the 14th general election if he received renomination from the top Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership.
Wan Junaidi said he is in good health and fit to continue his duty.
“Every constituency has their own operations centre in preparation for the election. Our women’s wing have been moving on the ground since early last year to carry out surveys on voters’ list and movements.
“I have been carrying out my duty as usual, meeting constituents. I’m not one of those seasonal politicians who only starts campaigning during election time,” he continued.
In the 2013 general election, Wan Junaidi garnered 24,655 votes to win a four-cornered fight against Zulrusdi Hol of Parti Keadilan Rakyat, Mura Kadir from State Reform Party and independent Affendi Jeman.
The Santubong parliamentary constituency, with three state seats of Tanjong Datu, Pantai Damai and Demak Laut, is historically a stronghold of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
“We are confident that Barisan (Nasional) will not lose Santubong. In fact, BN might receive a higher number of votes in Santubong this coming general election,” Wan Junaidi said. — DayakDaily
