News by Datuk Chang Kim Loong

Datuk Chang Kim Loong: Virtual meetings bring a host of benefits and ideally shall remain an option even after the pandemic has been controlled. Virtual meetings could also encourage more people to take part in general meetings as they are just a few clicks away.

Datuk Chang Kim Loong: Members of the public are also forewarned to be careful with any oral promises from any parties to renew lease tenures upon expiry which are not properly documented. The related case study would be the Marble Jade Mansion in Brickfields on issue of “promised” lease extension, but that is another story.

Datuk Chang Kim Loong: This PLS issue may open up a new can of worms as owners of freehold land will now hold on to their ownership forever for the benefit of their future generations, like the feudal system of land ownership under the colonial days where land plots are granted by lease and licence to cultivate.

Perhaps, a new set of contract of sale should be prescribed in the proposed new Schedule K (Post CC: Land & Building) and Schedule L (Post CCC: Stratified Property) to be included in the HDR.

The National House Buyers Association (HBA) believes the move by the Perak state government to speed up the release of bumiputera lots is a step in the right direction and will ultimately benefit all in the long run.

The aim of Section 73 is to enable prospective buyers to ascertain the outstanding dues attributable to a parcel prior to transfer/conveyance so as to avoid an unpleasant situation where the prospective buyer has to ‘foot’ the dues accrued by the previous owner.

Contrary to popular belief, booking fees are prohibited by the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Regulations 1989.

Datuk Chang Kim Loong: Inordinate delays in the Covid-19 “legal shield” has rendered it redundant and meaningless, but it is better to have an imperfect bill now as a starting point where future improvements can be made.

If the RTA is to be made law, top of its objectives must be to protect the legitimate interest of landlords against errant tenants and protect tenants against irresponsible landlords.

The government should consider wholesome waiver or at the least offer 50% rebate on Personal and Corporate Income Tax for the next two years rather than to grant stamp duty waivers to entice buyers of high-end overhang unsold residential property.