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Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Tiang: Jln Deshon sick housing project set to be declared abandoned next month
A view of the long-delayed housing project. – Photo by Peter Boon SIBU (July 18): The long-overdue housing development project along Jalan Deshon here is expected to be declared an abandoned project by next month, said State Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Michael Tiang. Speaking to reporters during a site visit today, he said the project, which commenced in 2012 and was initially slated for completion in 2015, remains only 70 per cent completed after over a decade. 'Due to the delay, many buyers have started filing lawsuits against the developer. In 2022, the company was wound up by the Sibu High Court and placed under the receivership of the Insolvency Department,' he said. Tiang explained that once the project is gazetted as abandoned under the Housing Development Control Licencing Ordinance 2013, affected buyers would be able to approach their respective banks to apply for interest exemptions. 'This will ease their financial burden, as they will no longer have to service the interest. That is one form of relief we can provide at this stage,' he said. The Pelawan assemblyman also revealed that discussions are underway with landowners on the next course of action for the stalled development. 'As for the way forward — how to turn the project around — that will be the next step. 'Across Sarawak, we have identified several other similar projects and will gradually visit and assess them for possible declaration as abandoned projects. This is what we mean when developers are no longer in a position to continue their projects,' he added. Tiang disclosed that the housing development project along Jalan Deshon here will be the first of the sick projects to be declared as abandoned under his tenure as Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government. The project comprised 80 units of townhouses and 10 units of two-and-a-half storey semi-detached houses, affecting 44 house purchasers. Earlier, Tiang also visited another sick project at Lorong Salim 28, noting that it was delayed for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. During the inspection, he expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of the project. 'There are 47 units in Phase 1 and 2. According to the developer, Phase 1 involving 21 units is scheduled to complete by next month, while Phase 2 involving 26 units is expected for completion by year end,' he said. He added that after the completion of the project, Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) will assist with the occupational permit (OP) for residents to move in. Furthermore, Tiang also inspected the project at Taman Muhibbah, with 35 units of single-storey terrace houses and 12 single-storey semi-detached houses. abandoned Jalan Deshon Michaeel Tiang sick housing project
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Jalan Deshon 'sick' housing project to be declared abandoned, more to follow
SIBU: The Jalan Deshon townhouse housing project here has been labelled as one of the most sick projects in Sibu. State Deputy Local Government, Housing and Public Administration Minister Datuk Michael Tiang said his ministry is in the process of formally declaring the project as abandoned under the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Ordinance 2013. 'We anticipate that the declaration will be made by next month, pending formal confirmation from the Minister himself, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian,' he said The move, according to Tiang, is expected to bring some relief to purchasers, enabling them to negotiate with their respective banks for potential loan interest waivers. 'This is our first step in alleviating the financial burden of the buyers. "Following this, we will engage with the landowner to explore options for reviving and completing the project,' he told reporters during a site inspection on Friday (July 18). The project involving 80 townhouse units started in 2012 and was scheduled for completion in 2015. However, more than a decade later, construction remains incomplete, with only a 70% completion rate. Tiang explained that prolonged delays to the project have led affected buyers to initiate legal proceedings. "This is one of the most seriously stalled developments in Sibu, as there has been no substantial progress for a prolonged period. "The developer was also declared bankrupt by the Sibu High Court in 2022," he added. Tiang also mentioned that several other housing developments across Sarawak are similarly categorised as "sick" projects and are being closely monitored by the ministry. 'We will continue to carry out on-site inspections to identify abandoned projects, especially those where developers are no longer financially capable of proceeding,' he said. Tiang, who is also the Pelawan assemblyman, reiterated the state government's commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of homebuyers, particularly in cases involving long-delayed housing developments.
