Abang Jo - a politician and a gentleman

Johari gets good words from DAP-Pending

Wednesday November 12, 2008 The Borneo Post [ Print Edition ]

Although Johari did say the tribunal may be ‘ad hoc’ -- meaning that because the number of complaints may not be enough to warrant a full tribunal -- it’s still better than not having one in the State.
...Violet Yong, DAP assemblywoman for Pending

KUCHING: Violet Yong (DAP-Pending) is pleased that the Sarawak government may set up a Housing Tribunal as soon as next year, modelled after Sabah’s version.

Yong, commenting on Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg’s reply to her clarification a day earlier, said she was “looking forward” to the tribunal.

“Although Johari did say the tribunal may be ‘ad-hoc’, meaning that because the number of complaints may not be enough to warrant a full tribunal — it’s still better than not having one in the state,” Yong said.

In Johari’s response to Yong on Monday, the minister told the august house the state government had already began “studying” Sabah’s Housing Tribunal.

A tribunal would allow disgruntled house buyers to voice out complaints against developers, without the need to launch a court case.

Besides legal proceedings, under present practices, house buyers can approach the Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developer’s Association, but action can only be taken against association members.

“Once a suitable model is found,” Johari was quoted as saying, “the state government will make an amendment to the Housing Developers (Control and Licensing) Ordinance 1993 and the Housing Developers (Control and Licensing) Regulation 1998.”

Meanwhile, Yong also told The Borneo Post at the State Legislative Assembly yesterday that she was “pleased” the minister had allowed her an opportunity to seek a clarification.

“He’s a gentleman in the Dewan,” Yong said.

“At first after he had answered the tribunal question I asked earlier I stood up, wanting to seek clarification on (whether) a time frame (has been set for setting up the tribunal), Johari said he would allow me a question later. So before he concluded his speech, he let me have my question.”