There are 47 residential projects in Penang with a gross development value of over RM10bil still waiting for the advertising permit and developer licence (APDL) to be released by the Urban Wellbeing, Housing, and Local Government Ministry.

Penang Master Builders & Materials Dealers Association (PMBBMDA) president Datuk Lim Kai Seng said that without the APDL, the developers could not advertise and sell their units.

“If they can’t sell yet, the developers will delay starting construction work, impacting the construction industry.

“In fact since the delay in APDL’s issuance to developers started a year ago, the building and material supply industry has been affected,” he said during the recent PMBBMDA 138th anniversary celebration.

The celebration was launched by state Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow.

Kai Seng said that usually the APDL would be issued within a month after the application.

“Since last year, developers have been waiting several months for it.

“Early this year, there were 87 residential projects in Penang without the APDL.

“Now the number has gone down to 47,” he said.

The PMBBMDA also seeks from the state government job opportunities to be generated by the implementation of the Penang Transport Master Plan.

“In view of the numerous mega projects coming up over the next few years in Penang, we are appealing to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to consider allocating certain jobs for local contractors and building materials suppliers.

“We assure him that our members have the necessary contractors and expertise to undertake some of the mega project contracts,” Kai Seng said.

He added that Bank Negara should relax the current stringent loan policy for first-time home buyers.

“Bank Negara should consider allowing banks to provide 100% financing for first-time buyers of affordable homes,” Kai Seng said.

He added that in early 2016, the Penang Island City Council and the Seberang Prai Municipal Council would use the WhatsApp Messenger for monitoring projects through mobile phones.

“This application will enable the council to monitor our construction works more efficiently through photos or videos taken on site.”

Kai Seng also said the Federal Government would adopt the Quality Assessment System in Construction or QLASSIC to measure the quality of workmanship in the construction industry in 2018.

“The QLASSIC is one of the initiatives under the Construction Industry Transformation Programme to improve the construction industry by 2020.

“It’s a method to evaluate the quality of workmanship in construction work,” he said.

Source: TheStar.com.my