KUCHING, July 13: Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) will be organising a forum titled ‘Be prepared for housing tribunal claims’ tomorrow (July 14) at 2pm.
Sheda president Augustine Wong disclosed that this forum is the second following the success of its first forum titled ‘Should LAD be calculated from date of booking’ on June 10, which saw overwhelming response from its members with all slots snapped up within 24 hours.
“With positive responses and feedback from attendees, Sheda will be organising another Zoom forum focusing on how and what property developers could do when faced with purchaser’s claims.
“Like the previous Zoom forum, it will take on an unconventional format where panellists will have conversations, prodded, and encouraged to explore topics which the moderator thinks is relevant and important for Sheda’s members.
“Throughout the Covid-19 restriction period, the organisation had also taken a more active role in educating its members on latest issues affecting the industry by organising online forums held via Zoom,” he said in a media release today.
Those interested to participate in the upcoming forum can call Sheda State Secretariat at 082-366334.
As the construction sector experienced a slowdown due to Covid-19 constraints, Wong emphasised that Sheda has stayed active in helping its members navigate through the pandemic as well as reaching out to those in need with food aid.
Its office had managed to help its members obtain approval from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Ports Development (MIPD) to resume critical works for private sector construction projects as per State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC)’s requirements.
“By practicing self-regulation, Sheda could streamline the submission process and provide value added services exclusively for our valued members by allowing them to resume construction work at sites subject to SOP (standard operating procedure),” he said in a statement today.
That apart, Sheda had also worked with the Ministry of Local Government and Housing (MLGH) and the Land and Survey Department (LSD) to initiate necessary amendments to the guidelines affecting the federal housing loan under the Public Sector Housing Financing Board (LPPSA).
“The previous requirements by LPPSA for housing developers to pay land premium in full for issuance of individual title while Sarawak LSD does not provide for payment of land premium until at a later stage has seen numerous qualified federal loans applicants having their loans rejected by LPPSA.
“In this regard, the proactive steps taken by Sheda and receptiveness of MLGH and LSD in the needs of the industry and house buyers is a positive step forward which has truly benefited the industry and house buyers as a whole,” he commended.
In support of the State government’s objective towards achieving herd immunity, Wong pointed out that Sheda had teamed with Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) to participate in the mass immunisation programme for its members at tHe Spring’s vaccination centre.
“A total of 2,400 Sheda, SSCI and SBF members have received their first dose of vaccines while they are scheduled to receive the second dose on July 23 and 24,” he shared.
Furthermore, he said that Sheda had also teamed up with food outlets in and around the city to provide 10,000 free packed lunches over a period of two weeks to those who have been badly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite the disruptions on most construction activities in the State that has further stressed both property developers and house buyers, Wong emphasised that its members are looking forward to Sarawak moving to ease restrictions and full opening of the economy gradually. — DayakDaily
