About 100 buyers seek government intervention after the Bandar Baru Lahat housing project halts, raising loan and CCRIS concerns.
IPOH: About 100 buyers of a housing project in Bandar Baru Lahat who were hoping for a roof over their heads are now in the lurch as the project has stalled.
The group has sought assistance from the Perak MCA public services and complaints bureau to help find a solution.
Bureau chief Charles Yuen urged the state government, local council and the Housing and Local Government Ministry to step in and mediate.
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“The buyers need to know whether the project will continue under the same developer or a third party,” he said during a press conference at the Perak MCA office on Thursday.
Several buyers at the press conference voiced dissatisfaction and asked for temporary reductions or a suspension of interest on their housing loans.
Yuen added that buyers are also worried that continued payments will affect their Central Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS) records and other housing loan applications in the future.
CCRIS is operated by Bank Negara Malaysia and compiles credit information from financial institutions to produce standardised credit reports.
Yuen claimed the buyers were informed that a dispute over payments between the developer and landowner led to the halt in construction.
“The buyers were attracted as the cost of RM180,000 per unit was affordable. They paid a booking fee of RM3,600 based on 2% and later a 10% down payment totalling RM18,000.
“I will collect all data and information such as interest paid, loans taken, banks involved and other relevant details to submit to the Housing and Local Government Ministry and other authorities for further action,” he added.
The project comprises 1,465 units, including low-cost flats, medium-cost flats and single-storey terrace houses.
The affected buyers had booked the terrace houses, which were scheduled for completion in April this year.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held in January 2023.
Some units are only 50% completed while others are at various stages of construction, with no work carried out at certain parts of the site.
Tan Yeng Kwai, 60, from nearby Taman Kledang, expressed disappointment that the developer has not provided a clear explanation on the fate of the project.
“When I approached the developer for a response, they only told me to wait. I kept asking the same questions repeatedly but hit a wall.
“The developers do not answer our calls. We want to know what plans they have to complete the project.
“The state government should intervene and take over the project if no solution is in sight,” he said.
