November 17, 2009 20:35 PM

Sarawak Housing Ministry To Formulate Sops To Prevent Power Abuses

KUCHING, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak Housing Ministry will formulate standard operating procedures (SOPs) to provide stringent guidelines for enforcement officers so as to prevent abuses of power when they entered any premises without a court warrant in carrying out investigations.

State Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said during debates on the Housing Developers (Control and Licensing) (Amendment) Bill 2009, several state assemblymen had expressed concern that the powers given under the new section 10A to the Controller of Housing, housing inspectors and any police officer, were too wide and could lead to power abuse.

"Any public officers found to have abused their powers in the discharge of their duties will be subjected to disciplinary action or even prosecution in court if their activities constitute an offence under the law," he said when replying to points raised for his ministry on the 2010 Budget at the Sarawak state legislative assembly sitting here Tuesday.

Housing developers should not fear and be unduly worried of the insertion of the new sections 10A and 10B of the Principal Ordinance, he said, because there was no intention by his ministry to "intimidate and categorise all developers as if they are criminals and dishonourable" as alleged by the Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers' Association (Sheda) president in a press release published by the Borneo Post on Nov 13.

He urged developers to look positively at these particular sections as they could be used to protect their interests, especially when investigations had to be carried to determine the authencity of complaints or claims by house buyers during construction or defect liability period.

-- BERNAMA

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