PUTRAJAYA: House buyers have lodged reports with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MA­-CC) that they have been forced to service loans for units in projects that had been categorised as abandoned.

Muslim Consumers Association Malaysia (PPIM) activist Abdul Kareem Said Khadaied said they had looked into the relevant documents of the home owners and found elements of cheating.

“The banks failed to carry out proper background checks on the developer before approving the loans. Their failure has forced home buyers to pay for something that they will never get,” he said after lodging the reports on behalf of some 100 house buyers at the MACC headquarters yesterday.

The Pulau Indah project, located in Port Klang, was alleged to have been developed by Syarikat Simpulan Cemerlang Sdn Bhd in 1999, but was halted two years later. The company was subsequently wound up in court in Dec 2005.

Abdul Kareem also showed letters claiming the project did not have approval from the Klang Municipal Council or any other authority.

“Although the developer claimed it had carried out earthworks and piling, the banks did not check on the status of the projects.

“House buyers are suffering because of the weakness of the banks,” he said, adding that the developer and the project’s architect had gone missing.

A victim, self-employed Arman Soriani, 40, said he was disappointed that the authorities were not able to do anything to help the house buyers.

“This case has been going on for a few years. We have lodged police reports and hope that the MACC can take immediate action against the developer and those involved.

“I need to pay for my dialysis treatment and my children’s school fees,” he said.

Another victim, factory worker Othman Ibrahim, 39, said he was not allowed to apply for another loan as he had been blacklisted by the banks.

“For five years, I have had to fork out RM150 per month. I am looking for side jobs in order to buy a new house,” he said.

Source : Star Property