IPOH: Amendments to the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966 (Act 118) to impose tougher penalties on errant housing developers are expected to be tabled in the cabinet next year.
Local Government and Housing Development Minister Nga Kor Ming said the ministry was conducting a series of engagement sessions with stakeholders.
"We are in discussion with the National Housing Department (NHD) and other stakeholders to amend this law.
"We are a government for all, guided by three open policies — an open door, an open mind and an open heart.
"We should first listen to stakeholders, including Rehda (Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association) and the National House Buyers Association, before making any decision.
"Thorough research must also be conducted. Following this, the new Housing Development Act will be tabled in Parliament in 2025."
He told reporters this after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Perak Housing and Real Estate Authority (LPHP) and NHD for cooperation in rehabilitating troubled and abandoned housing projects in Perak at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan today.
Present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, NHD director-general Datuk K. N. Jayaselan and LPHP chief executive officer Mohamed Akmal Dahalan.
On June 1, FMT reported that property developers involved in fraudulent or abandoned projects would be brought to court and could also be prevented from leaving the country under amendments to the law.
Nga said once amended, cases of fraud would be prosecuted in court and offenders would face a prison sentence of up to three years, a fine ranging from RM250,000 to RM500,000, or both.