KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 28,363 housing units from abandoned and "sick" private housing projects have been revived as of Aug 31 this year, says Nga Kor Ming.
The Local Government Development Minister said this comes after a special task force was set up to deal with abandoned or "sick" housing projects.
"The special task force, chaired by the ministry's deputy, has successfully saved 256 'sick' housing projects.
"Of this, 225 projects were continued until completion and the status of another 31 projects have been changed to 'smooth flowing'.
"This involves a total of 28,363 housing units with a gross development value of RM23.37bil as of Aug 31," he said when replying to a question raised by Wong Kah Woh (PH-Taiping) in Parliament.
To a question from Siti Mastura Muhammad (PN-Kepala Batas), Nga said there are currently a total of 112 abandoned private housing projects worth RM12.98bil as of Aug 31.
"This involves 23,912 housing units and affects 13,854 house buyers," he said.
However, Nga said no public housing projects have been abandoned this year.
Nga advised house buyers to visit ehome.kpkt.gov.my to check whether a contractor or the board of directors of a property company is involved in a "sick" or abandoned project.
He also advised house buyers to be careful when making a transaction for a new home.
"House buyers are encouraged to file a complaint with the National Housing Department (JPN) whenever a housing project is suspected of ignoring requirements set by the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966 (Act 118).
"With this, we can open an investigative paper and take necessary action.
"Complaints can also be made via the Public Complaints Management System through kpkt.spab.gov.my," he said.