19/08/2025

TUESDAY | AUG 19, 2025

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Tougher laws to rein in rogue developers o Amendments to housing development act will cover commercial projects, boost accountability; so far over 1,000 projects revived to protect homebuyers, says Nga

No ‘kawtim’ in govt contracts, says deputy minister

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

enforcement actions on the importation and illegal smuggling of pork, particularly from Thailand and other countries with outbreaks of the Streptococcus suis and African swine fever, as well as the number of arrests made in relation to illegal pork smuggling activities at all national entry points this year. He said import control carried out by Maqis is through a document inspection mechanism, including the requirement for import permits and veterinary health certificates, as well as physical inspections of containers at the country’s entry points. In addition, sampling of pork products is also conducted to ensure they are free of diseases before being allowed entry. – by KIRTINEE RAMESH PETALING JAYA: Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan has refuted claims that government contracts are awarded through political patronage, insider ties or ‘kawtim’ (to settle), stressing that such allegations are unfounded and based on perception. He acknowledged, however, that certain contractors had failed to maintain roads during construction. Ahmad, after inspecting the Kelupit–Sandakan stretch recently, said the roads there were not properly maintained. “If a contractor neglects road upkeep, the Sabah Public Works Department (PWD) can appoint another firm to carry out the works, with costs deducted from the original contractor’s payments. “So far, this has not been done. We are monitoring closely and issuing warnings to ensure proper maintenance,” he told the Dewan Rakyat during the question-and answer session yesterday. Ahmad was replying to Kulim Bandar Baharu MP Roslan Hashim, who questioned whether project delays in Sabah and Sarawak were linked to political influence. He also assured that the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah is progressing, although some packages in Sipitang face delays due to adverse weather, land acquisition issues and labour shortages. Responding to Sipitang MP Datuk Matbali bin Musah, Ahmad said the 706km project has been divided into 35 work packages (WP), including WP01 (Sindumin–Melalia, 28.5km) and WP02 (Melalia–Beaufort, 34.7km). “The scope includes widening the road from two to four lanes, building new bridges, upgrading drainage and enhancing safety measures.” As of July 31, WP01 recorded 84.22% progress compared with the target of 87.43%, while WP02 stood at 58.14% against 60.89% – leaving both about 2.75% behind schedule. Despite this, the ministry is targeting completion of both by the first quarter of 2027, subject to contractor performance. Ahmad added that the ministry and Sabah PWD are tightening oversight through stricter monitoring, continuous supervision and direct involvement of senior management via the Sabah Pan Borneo Highway project steering committee. On safety issues in Sipitang, he explained that streetlights were installed only at junctions and roundabouts due to budget constraints but contractors are required to provide warning signs, road patrols and public liability insurance. “Any complaints, including vehicle damage, can be brought directly to the contractor. No works may begin without public liability insurance,” he added.

had stalled. He expressed concern that while subsidiaries could be wound up, the Singapore-listed parent company continued operating without repercussions. Nga acknowledged the seriousness of the matter and confirmed that the ministry would investigate. “The Hatton projects are complex and have dragged on for many years. “We will open an investigation paper and explore the best way forward to protect public interest,” he assured. Meanwhile, Nga said the ministry had introduced a dedicated system through the Teduh portal (https://teduh.kpkt.gov.my/), enabling prospective buyers to verify whether a developer has been blacklisted. He explained that the platform provides transparent and detailed information on housing developers for public reference. “My advice is for buyers to always check the Teduh system and ensure they purchase only from developers who are not on the blacklist. “This year alone, 109 companies have been blacklisted and prohibited from operating in the housing sector to safeguard the rights and interests of the public.” Nga was responding to a supplementary question from Dr Halimah Ali (PN-Kapar), who asked about the effectiveness of the blacklist system in the absence of a scoring or rating mechanism to assess the track records of developers.

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

However, Act 118 currently applies only to housing projects, not commercial ones. To close this gap, the ministry is reviewing amendments to allow stricter enforcement, including action against parent companies, subsidiaries and beneficial owners of failed projects. “The proposed amendments will allow enforcement to be carried out more effectively and comprehensively. “This will strengthen preventive measures and ensure long-term accountability in the housing sector,” Nga said. He added that the ministry would continue engaging enforcement agencies, state governments, industry players and consumer groups to ensure the amendments remain relevant, comprehensive and impactful under the Malaysia Madani framework. Earlier, Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong asked whether blacklisting should also apply to parent companies and directors if their subsidiaries were involved in abandoned projects. Khoo highlighted the case of the Hatton Group in Malacca, in which several projects

PETALING JAYA: Developers of sick and abandoned projects will face tougher penalties, with the Housing and Local Government Ministry moving to amend the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966 (Act 118) to cover commercial projects as well. Minister Nga Kor Ming told Parliament the Madani government was committed to accountability, integrity and social justice in the housing sector, stressing that developers must be held responsible for projects entrusted to them. “The ministry will not compromise with any developer who fails to fulfil their responsibilities and in the process burdens the people. Our commitment remains clear – to revive problematic projects and ensure the rakyat, particularly low-income groups, have access to safe, liveable and affordable housing.” Through the National Housing Department, the ministry has set up a special task force for sick and abandoned private housing projects to identify, resolve and prevent problematic developments. As of June 30, the task force had detected 233 delayed projects and 360 sick ones. Of these, 223 sick projects have since obtained certificates of completion and compliance while 14 projects have been fully restored, benefitting 25,822 homebuyers. To date, 1,127 abandoned projects involving about 135,000 buyers have been successfully revived. Nga cited one recent success story – Residensi Hektar Gombak, a 2,400-unit affordable housing project under the Residensi Wilayah programme. Launched in 2018 but left incomplete in 2022, the project was revived after the ministry secured RM125 million in fresh funding, despite it falling under the jurisdiction of the Federal Territories Department. “This demonstrates proactive leadership in reviving long-delayed projects and gives renewed hope to thousands of buyers.” Nga explained that once a project is declared sick, the developer and its board of directors are blacklisted. Companies linked to the same directors are barred from applying for new licences, while their existing housing development accounts are frozen.

An abandoned housing development project stands in decay, highlighting the Housing and Local Government Ministry’s renewed push to hold developers accountable. – ADIB RAWI YAYHA/THESUN

Tighter enforcement to curb illegal pork trade PETALING JAYA: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has stepped up enforcement to curb pork smuggling, with more than 750 tonnes worth RM3.05 million seized since last year. Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728) and the Animals Act 1953 (Act 647), including heavy fines and prosecution.”

farmers, abattoirs and importers through continuous consultations to address production challenges and strengthen disease control. Malaysia’s current self-sufficiency level for pork stands at 67.8% between 2020 and 2024. Kurup said stricter guidelines would be made compulsory for small farms, requiring them to adopt modern closed-house systems. “Increasing local output is critical, both to reduce reliance on imports and to shield the nation from foreign disease threats. Pork is a key protein source, especially for non-Muslim communities. Ensuring stable supply will also help ease pressure on other protein prices, including chicken, beef and fish.” Kurup was responding to a question from Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru) regarding Maqis’

Kurup acknowledged that the industry was under severe strain, noting the national pig population had dropped from 1.86 million in 2020–2021 to 1.24 million last year due to African swine fever and rising feed costs. To stabilise supply, he said the government had facilitated the import of 1,600 live pigs from Sarawak into Peninsular Malaysia through Port Klang. Long-term measures include modern pig farming through designated pig farming areas with higher biosecurity standards, such as a RM26 million project in Tongod, Sabah. He added that the ministry has been engaging

Deputy Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that from last year to July this year the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) detected 24 smuggling attempts involving 640 tonnes of pork. The Veterinary Services Department also recorded 18 seizures of unapproved carcasses and suspected contraband pork amounting to 114 tonnes, he added. “Enforcement is carried out in collaboration with the Border Control and Protection Agency, Customs Department, the police and Armed Forces. Offenders face stern action under the