Rehda Institute unveils third edition of Strata Management Handbook highlighting sustainability, updated laws

• Rehda Institute: “Sustainable strata management is not just about your building being green certified, it’s much more, for example, having a proper waste management system.”

PUTRAJAYA (Oct 4): Rehda Institute unveiled the third edition of its Strata Management Handbook titled Comprehensive Guide to Strata Living in Malaysia, highlighting sustainability, with sustainable real estate insights from GreenRE Sdn Bhd. The first two editions were published in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

The soft launch of the latest edition took place at the Malaysia Strata Conference and Exhibition (MSCE) on Friday at the IOI Grand Exhibition & Convention Centre. This three-day event, featuring an exhibition, public seminars, conferences and strata clinics, will run from Oct 4 to 6.

Representing Rehda Institute at the event was its chief operating officer David Chong, who highlighted why it is important to incorporate sustainability into strata management. “Sustainable strata management is not just about your building being green certified, it’s much more, for example, having a proper waste management system.”

Additionally, the book also provides case studies of strata management issues and updates on new strata laws and regulations, Chong added.

The book's ultimate aim, Chong said, is to create more awareness among the industry’s stakeholders. “Our chairman Datuk Jeffrey Ng Tiong Lip and the editor of our handbook Ngian Siew Siong had the vision to [make strata-related matters] easier for the layman to understand. So we hope with this, they will be able to understand better when they attend annual general meetings and such.

“The second vision is that when developers give vacant possessions to their homebuyers, they would also provide them with this handbook. This is for the homeowners to manage their expectations, so those living in a strata property for the first time will know their dos and don’ts.”

Delivering his welcome address at the opening ceremony of MSCE, Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) director general Datuk Jayaselan Navaratnam said, “Every year, strata property developments record a significant increase. As of December 2020, there were 1.6 million strata units in Peninsular Malaysia. In Kuala Lumpur alone, 5,500 strata schemes have been recorded, covering over 750,000 units.

“The rise in strata housing has made the public aware of the need for effective strata management to ensure better quality living conditions. Act 757 is currently in the process of being amended to ensure it becomes more comprehensive and protects the interests of all parties involved. As strata management becomes increasingly complex, legal support is needed to achieve this goal.”

Jayaselan also added that strata management is not solely related to the physical maintenance of buildings and facilities. It must also take into account sustainable practices, such as efficient waste management, sustainable energy usage and efforts to reduce the carbon footprint, he stressed.

MSCE was jointly organised by Fifth Connexions Sdn Bhd and Human Resource Development Corp, and endorsed by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.

Themed around environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, MSCE 2024 aims to introduce and integrate ESG concepts into strata management practices, promoting sustainable, equitable, and well-governed communities.

Fifth Connexions managing director Tiffany Chai explained why MSCE is important for the country’s strata management landscape. “Our main objective for MSCE is to create a platform where all strata stakeholders can come together, exchange knowledge and find solutions to the challenges faced in strata management. This event is built around the idea of empowering and uplifting the strata community, promoting sustainable, well-governed residential environments. With KPKT's support, we aspire to elevate the standards of strata management in Malaysia.”

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