PAM happy with centre
06/07/2007 The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The service provided by one-stop centres (OSCs) for fast-track approval for housing projects has been commended by the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM).

“We do not need to wait two to four years to get the approval from different departments. Now we can expect to get the green light in months under one roof. This will increase our competitiveness,” said PAM president Dr Tan Loke Mun.

He said the Housing and Local Government Ministry, which was in charge of the OSCs, responded promptly to the problems brought up by PAM.

What’s this: Ong testing a lampshade designed to look like an M-16 after opening the architecture exhibition in Kuala Lumpur yesterday as Tan (left) looks on.

“Whenever we told the ministry of the problems that we encountered when dealing with OSCs, they would settle the problems and get back to us soon.

“So far we only encountered minor problems such as confusion over the interpretation of certain rules and procedures. And all of the problems have been settled,” he said after the opening of the eighth Malaysia Architecture, Interior Design and Building Exhibition by Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday.

Ong said his ministry welcomed feedback from relevant agencies such as PAM as it would help rectify the problems to ensure that the OSCs function effectively.

“We will monitor the OSCs closely to ensure that it will serve the people more efficiently,” said Ong, who is also MCA president.

On April 13, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced comprehensive changes to the property development sector as part of the moves to improve the public delivery system.

One of the initiatives was the setting-up of OSCs in every state for quick approvals for housing projects.

Ong had said that all applications received by OSCs must be processed within four to six months.

During the opening, Ong also launched a book entitled Recent Malaysian Architecture published by PAM.

The exhibition, organised by PAM and CIS Sdn Bhd, features more than 600 booths manned by local and foreign exhibitors. The event ends on Sunday.