2nd progress report on housing one-stop centre
30/08/2007 The Edge Daily  by Sharon Tan

KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry submitted its second progress report on the housing one-stop centre (OSC) to the Cabinet yesterday, said its minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.

He said the bi-monthly report included progress, shortcomings, and efforts being made to make the OSC more efficient.

“We take the OSC very seriously. We want the industry and the government to work together for the interest of the economy,” he said in his speech at The Edge Malaysia Top Property Developers Awards 2007 here last night.

OSC was set up by the ministry on April 13 this year to speed up approval of development plans, which include land application for projects, and approval for building plans.

Ong said the report was submitted to the Cabinet as there were many departments that came under the purview of the different ministries.

In his speech, Ong also reminded developers to ensure minimum standard on product quality such as services, finishes and timeliness to remain competitive and sustainable in the industry.

He said there were 238 cases reported to the ministry in 2006 on poor quality of houses, such as plaster cracks, leaking roof, sub-standard finishes and settlement.

Ong also told developers to invest in innovative planning and building concept by taking into consideration the latest green technologies available.

He noted that some local development projects had incorporated the elements, and he hoped that there would be a new elite group of eco-friendly developers.

“The inclusion of these elements will definitely be good selling points for development projects,” he said.