Frustration mounts as Kemuyang Heights units suffers four-year delay

SIBU (March 17): Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang has expressed disatisfaction over the stalled Kemuyang Heights housing project, saying the developer has repeatedly failed to meet commitments made to both the government and homebuyers.

Tiang, who visited the site on Monday for the second time since August, said he was ‘totally unsatisfied and very disappointed’ after discovering no progress had been made despite multiple discussions, including a follow-up meeting at his ministry just last week.

“Since my last visit, nothing has been done.

“If a developer can be so bankrupt of trustworthiness, we will have to look for other alternatives,” he said.

He stressed that the government’s main priority is ensuring the project is completed for 57 affected house purchasers, many of whom have been forced to occupy unfinished units without electricity and water while still servicing monthly loans of more than RM1,000.

“These buyers are suffering.

“They have nowhere else to go. As a government, we need to intervene,” he said, adding that actions under the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Ordinance 2013 are being considered.

Tiang said he would no longer accept verbal assurances from the developer.

“I only want to see action. Nothing else. Do not give me empty promises,” he stressed.

During the visit, the developer informed him that they were still looking for a contractor to carry out the Technical Approval for Street Lighting (Tasil), required before obtaining a road certificate.

Only after receiving the certificate can applications for water and electricity, and finally the occupation permit (OP), be submitted.

“But I told him clearly: finish it. He said three months; I told him one month. I want to see him finish it,” Tiang said, noting that even the project’s contractor was present when he issued the instruction.

He said that nearly four years of delay was unacceptable, and the ministry expects immediate and measurable progress.

Tiang added that the ministry continues to publish the state’s ‘sick housing’ list online to promote transparency and accountability.

While some developers object to being listed, the real victims are always the house purchasers.

“They use their life savings, take bank loans, and end up suffering because the developer is irresponsible.

“Do not tell me about your business reputation―look at these real people here,” he said.

Earlier, Tiang also announced that the state’s special taskforce successfully resolved issues involving the Salim One Golden Sun Phase 1 project, which has now obtained its Occupation Permit.

“I’m very happy that the house purchasers can finally move into a place they call home,” he said.