Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam. - filepic
KOTA KINABALU: The professional self-certification guidelines for building fitness are also applicable to City Hall here, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
"We have just launched (the guidelines) on Monday (May 8). So it’s too early to say if it is being followed or not.
"It is supposed to be applicable for the whole state," he said when contacted Tuesday (May 9).
Dr Gunsalam was asked about concerns from the construction industry that Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) was not likely to adopt the state government's policy for allowing certified professionals to issue the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) for buildings.
The CCC replaces the occupation certificate issued by all local authorities in the state.
Issuance of the CCC would be done by professionals or a principal submitting person (PSP), which includes architects, professional engineers and registered plan drafters.
The CCC is part of the Sabah government's Uniform Building By-Laws (UBBL 2022) gazetted on Dec 29 for implementation by all local authorities.
However, many in the construction industry were told that the CCC would not be adopted by DBKK, which is still the issuing authority for the occupation certificate.
Industry players lamented DBKK's perceived stalling in implementing the uniform building by-laws which are seen as progressive and geared towards speeding up development in the state.
Currently, they said building fitness certification could take months before occupation certificates are issued due to red tape as well as the lack of professionals in local authorities to approve it.
Dr Gunsalam said he would follow up on the matter.
DBKK comes under the Chief Minister's Department while local municipal and district councils come under the state Local Government and Housing Ministry.
In launching the by-laws, Dr Gunsalam said the issuance of CCC by the submitting person provides for self-certification and self-regulation while the local authorities can carry out inspections during construction to ensure that the building complied with the approved plans.
"In case of non-compliance, the local council can withhold issuance of the CCC," he said, adding that UBBL 2022 was a positive step to adapt to current practices of architecture and engineering.
UBBL 2022 also provides for local councils to impose a compound not exceeding RM5,000 and a penalty rate not exceeding RM100,000 against any person who violates its provisions.
"This indirectly allows local councils to deal with the problem of structures built without local council approval or illegal structures, often a controversial issue in every district," he added.
