Bold local initiatives
22/05/2007 The Star

IN LINE with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s determination to improve the efficiency of the country’s public delivery system, bold changes have been made to revamp the local property sector.

These changes streamline all processes prior to construction concerning land, planning and building plan approval.

Abdullah and Ong are confident that the changes will cut red tape, ensure efficiency and make the housing industry competitive.

They are a breakthrough of sorts for the Housing and Local Government Ministry.

These changes will spur the industry to greater economic growth and herald in a new era for the industry.

They involve implementing measures that will reformat and simplify application procedures, resolve problems related to building and common property and improve the public delivery service.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said that as the property market is a major component of the country’s national economic development, it is important to ensure efficiency to increase productivity and competitiveness.

“The series of measures undertaken will improve the public delivery service which is crucial to ensure the smooth implementation of the 9th Malaysia Plan and achieve the objectives of Vision 2020,” he said.

The changes, including fast track approval, will result in greater efficiency and transparency in the housing industry.

Apart from simplified application procedures, a One-Stop-Centre has been set up to speed up the process in handling and approving housing projects, replacing the Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (CFO) with the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) and incentives for developers to adopt the Build Then Sell (BTS) concept.

Such fast track approval will also be granted to high impact projects, projects attracting foreign investment and government projects