KUCHING: The Tribunal for Homebuyers’ Claims Sarawak (TTPRS) Court mandated MD Realty Development Sdn Bhd to compensate five house buyers a total of RM101,598.72 due to delays in delivering homes.
These buyers, who invested in single-storey terrace houses in Muara Tuang, anticipated receiving their properties by February 2023, only to find the developer failing to meet the agreed-upon timeline.
Addressing the media after the Tribunal’s hearing session, TTPRS president Datuk Maznah Dasmi emphasised the urgency of the payment, stipulating a 45-day window upon receipt of the tribunal’s judgement letter.
“Should the developer defaults on compensation, stringent penalties will ensue,” she cautioned.
She shed light on the prevalence of delayed home handovers, particularly exacerbated during the Movement Control Order (MCO) amid the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years.
“During that period, numerous developers encountered financial constraints and a labour shortage, hampering timely completion of housing projects.
“In some distressing cases, completed homes fell victim to theft, with items including toilet fixtures pilfered. Developers bear the responsibility to indemnify such losses,” she added.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by developers, Maznah stressed the paramount importance of upholding contractual obligations to buyers.
The tribunal session, which convened today (April 25), saw the participation of two panel members, Datuk Alhadi Ibrahim and Lam Joon Onn.
