House buyers urged to seek advice from Housing Tribunal

SIBU: Many house buyers do not know where to seek for advice when they face problems.

Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee said this came to light during his walkabouts meeting with the public, particularly with the house buyers.

“Many do not know the existence of my Ministry’s Housing Tribunal to deal with their problems.

“Hence, I have to bring the Housing Tribunal to ‘turun padang’ together with the related sections in my Ministry and other implementing agencies to promote and disseminate the information on the services rendered and also to explain the important roles, procedures and policies that my Ministry plays and executes particularly in the perspective of the housing industry in resolving disputes and ensuring fair and just outcomes for all parties involved,” he said during a two-day Housing Tribunal roadshow 2024 held at Wisma Sanyan here commencing today (Aug 3).

The Pelawan assemblyman stated that the roadshow, among others, is aimed at disseminating and explaining the roles and functions, procedures and policies of various sections in the ministry to the public.

He disclosed that the ministry would arrange for similar roadshow to be held in Bintulu, Miri and Kuching.

“The role of the Housing Tribunal becomes broad after the Strata Management Tribunal became operational since middle of last February. The main purpose of its establishment is to resolve strata management disputes speedily with efficiency and cost effectiveness.

“While I am talking about cost effectiveness and managing the disputes efficiently, I have taken an initiative to instruct my Ministry particularly under the Housing Tribunal to collaborate with the appointed contractor to develop virtual hearing.

“By having this virtual hearing, it will reduce time and also financial burden to the claimants and respondents and also the Ministry to settle the cases particularly located outside of Kuching,” he said.

This initiative is in-line with one of the seven enablers under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, he said, adding, there will be one location to be identified as a pilot project. To date, it is still under the stage of fine tuning the processes.

In-line with the development of the strata buildings in Sarawak which has become a trend, he said Strata Management Ordinance, 2019 came into force on Mar 1, 2022, followed by the enforcement of Strata Management (Management and Maintenance) Regulation, 2022 which are aimed at consolidating the rights and responsibilities of residents, landowners and developers to ensure suitable and efficient management as well as maintenance of the strata properties.

He said Strata owners have certain expectations such as transparent communication, effective maintenance and repair services, financial accountability, compliance with regulations, fair treatment and respectful behavior and safe and secure environment towards the management of the building to ensure a well-maintained and harmonious living environment.

” As such, joint management committee (JMC) and management corporation (MC) must play a vital role to ensure these expectations are met and can foster a positive relationship with the strata owners and contribute to the overall well-being and satisfaction of the residents within the building,” Tiang added.

Among those present were the ministry’s permanent secretary, Elizabeth Loh, Sibu Resident, Mohamad Porkan Budiman, Sibu Municipal secretaryYong Ing Chu and Sibu Rural District Council secretary, Ng Siang Wey.