By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Nov 4: The Strata Management Bill 2019 is passed in Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) today.
It was tabled by Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian and was supported by six lawmakers.
Dr Sim told the DUN that the proposed Bill aims to regulate the management and maintenance of strata building, particularly high-rise buildings.
He added that for this purpose, the proposed Bill will make it mandatory for unit-owners to pay monthly maintenance charges for routine maintenance of the common facilities in and around the building, and not less than 10 per cent of such monthly charges shall be put aside as sinking fund for major repairs/replacement and repainting works.
He explained further that the requirement to pay monthly maintenance charges also applies to each of the unsold units. In the case of the unsold units, it will be the responsibility of the developer to pay.
“The proposed Bill also makes it mandatory for strata development to form a management body responsible for the management and maintenance of the subdivided building or land.
“There will be a management committee, members to be elected amongst the unit owners at a general meeting. Meeting and voting procedures are provided for under the Schedules.
“More importantly, the management body is also responsible for the maintenance and sinking fund accounts, and such accounts need to be audited annually to ensure that the monies collected are properly managed,” he said.
Dr Sim said that the Bill was proposed as there is no dedicated law that regulates the management of strata buildings in the State.
He said Part V of the Strata Titles Bill, 1995 (Cap. 18) is inadequate in addressing the current needs of strata building maintenance and management.
“Therefore, the introduction of a specific law to cater for the maintenance and management of strata buildings in Sarawak will adequately ensure that strata buildings and their common facilities are always in a good state of maintenance for the benefits of the owners and tenants alike,” he said. — DayakDaily
