Awang Tengah going through his speech before the DUN sitting today. -Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The Strata (Subsidiary Titles) Bill, 2019 has been passed unanimously at the State Legislative Assembly today to provide better protection for all stakeholders in strata development.
The bill was tabled by Urban Development and Resources Minister (II) Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan to replace the Strata Titles Ordinance 1995 (Chapter 18).
Besides better protecting stakeholders, he said the bill sought to formulate more dynamic and relevant provisions in tandem with the current and expected future of real estate and building industry trends.
He told the sitting that it would also compel greater professional responsibilities among developers, architects, engineers, surveyors and other professionals involved in strata development.
In addition, Awang Tengah said it would improve and streamline the processes for speedy issuance of parent and subsidiary titles, and provide better provisions for enforcement and investigation powers of the Ordinance.
He said due to rapid changes in land development including strata, the current ordinance was inadequate to cater for the current and future demands of the industry and as such the Sarawak Government had decided that the law governing strata development be improved.
He noted that like other major cities in the world strata living concept has become the trend in Sarawak and it was timely and crucial for the current law to be enhanced.
“Repealing the current Strata Titles Ordinance 1995 and replacing it with this new ordinance will enable enhancement among others, the issuance of subsidiary titles, establishment of management corporations and the overall improvement of protections to all stakeholders involved in strata title development.
“This new law has been benchmarked against best practices in Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia as well as engagement with our counterpart in Johor and Selangor,” he said.
Four members of the august House had participated in the debate – Lo Khere Chiang (GPS-Batu Kitang) Dato’ Sri Huang Tiong Sii (GPS-Repok), Fazruddin Abdul Rahman (GPS-Tupong) and Violet Yong (PH-Pending).