Don’t focus only on profits, developers urged

July 29, 2012

UPCOMING PROJECT: Sheda vice-president and Bintulu branch liaison chairman Troy Yaw (second left) briefing Abdul Karim on the Bintulu Commerce Square project at Parkcity Commercial Centre as Sheda president Zaidi Ahmad (left) and others look on.

BINTULU: Housing developers in the state are urged not to just focus on profit margins but also focus on their social responsibility towards the community.

In saying this, Assistant Minister of Housing Abdul Karim Hamzah added that house developers should construct houses that meet the needs and expectations of consumers.

“Developers are also instrumental in determining the safety of the master plan. I hope they will have good ideas and innovation to build places with a soul,” he said.

He said this when officiating at the opening ceremony of Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) Home and Property Roadshow Bintulu 2012 at the ParkCity Everly Hotel yesterday.

He was representing Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The three-day event from Friday till today is said to be the biggest property event held in Bintulu every year.

Abdul Karim also admitted the prices of houses in Bintulu were escalating compared to other developing areas in the state due to the drastic growth of Bintulu division in recent years.

“I’m glad this roadshow is being held in Bintulu as it will probably increase the number of properties put on sale and with increased supply, this will hopefully reduce the prices of houses,” he said.

Some developers he said might not be happy about it because they are taking advantage of the higher prices now.

“Apart from building good houses, we also need to build affordable houses for the consumers,” he added.

According to him, the Housing Ministry is monitoring the situation closely and has set up a committee led by him to address the situation.

Abdul Karim said he led a group from his ministry and other relevant agencies last week to Singapore to study the concept of garden and gated community and the state is in the process of changing its housing laws accordingly.

Meanwhile, organising chairman Jason Ting said this year, the roadshow has attracted some 35 exhibitors from the state and the peninsula comprising developers, bankers, building material suppliers, interior designers, home furniture and other related service providers.

“This year we are expecting Bintulu to have another property boom as thousands of migrant workers from all over Sarawak and other states in Malaysia as well as other countries are flowing into Bintulu,” he said.

He also said prices of houses and properties are expected to increase soon and thus urged potential buyers to take advantage of the offers available at the roadshow.

Also present were Sheda president Zaidi Ahmad, its vice-president and Bintulu branch liaison chairman Troy Yaw Chee Weng, district officer Tuah Suni, Bintulu Development Authority general manager Datu Mohidin Ishak and local industry players.