Bandar Seri Begawan - In an effort to safeguard the interest and well-being of landowners and developers in the country, the Ministry of Development is preparing a "Developer's Act" to tighten control against irresponsible contractors and developers who could destroy the dream of people to own a home.

Awang Hj Suhaimi bin Hj Garai; the Permanent Secretary Technical and Professional at the Ministry of Development, revealed the setting up of Developer's Act in his remarks at the opening of BIBD showcase 2012 yesterday.

"The Ministry of Development is in the process of preparing a new act named Developer's Act to control and ensure that the well-being of the customers or clients are looked after," he said.

"We have often heard issues on grievances and complaints among buyers or landowners whereby their dream house or building is just a far away dream, nightmare or had to be abandoned although some have already made payment through a purchase transaction. It is important to monitor the role of the contractors and developers in helping people to succeed in securing their dream home.

"The Ministry of Development in its effort to improve services to the public will enforce the said rules and regulations for all contractors and developers in the country to register with the Ministry of Development. This includes government projects, private projects or public projects. This is one of the mechanisms to make sure that investment or the dream of landowners or house will be achieved," he said

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Development also disclosed the new guideline in implementing land and building developments.

As one of the efforts to safeguard the landowners' and developers' interest, the Ministry of Development has introduced a new regulation in the guideline for implementing land and building development. Now, an applicant who forwards the application must provide the memorandum of agreement between landowners and Qualified Persons (QP).
"(The) QP should be responsible and liable. We also want the owner to know what his limits are in the project implementation, how the payments are made, and also their scope of works.

"This is in line with the needs of the regulations within Building Control Act which is currently in the process of drafting that will also be included in the Building Control Regulation.

It is the aspiration of the Ministry of Development, he said, "to introduce the new regulation in order to safeguard the public and building owners' welfare. From the construction aspect, the Ministry of Development will make sure that construction works need to be done by contractors who are registered with the ministry.

"The Ministry of Development has realised that many landowners and clients keep on interacting with some contractors who are not registered with the Ministry of Development. Unfortunately, some unregistered contractors hired QP to forward design plans just to obtain permission of construction. The problem that occurs will not only delay the application process and implementation but also risks may arise if the applicants need to do amendments as required. This can be time consuming and delays the process of permission."

The developers' and contractors' commitment is vital in contributing to the nation's development and welfare of the people.

He reminded contractors and developers on the need to complete their projects according to the specification in the contract.