NIBONG TEBAL, Feb 22 (Bernama) — Three house renovations in Residensi Merbok here were ordered to stop work due to various offences including engaging the services of unlicensed foreign contractors and workers.
Malaysian Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Penang director Zahidi Hashim said an inspection of the residential luxury housing area found that the registration certificates of two project contractors there had expired since 2018.
“We have been carrying out intelligence since last week before carrying out a special integrated operation today from 10 am and found that three houses being renovated since last September were in violation of CIDB rules.
“Two contractors had their certification expired while another project was using the services of unregistered foreign contractors with no licence from CIDB and even employed foreign workers holding United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) cards.
“The owner of the house is believed to face a loss of almost RM200,000 due to his action of using a foreign contractor because it is clearly foul of the law,” he said after leading a special integrated operation here today, with the participation of the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) for about three hours.
Zahidi said in the operation, a total of nine notices were issued against the three premises due to offences according to CIDB Act 520 which can be compounded with a fine of RM10,000 to RM100,000.
He said the inspections focused on the renovation of houses that used the services of companies or contractors not registered with CIDB, especially involving foreigners who currently dominate the market in the renovation of private housing.
“CIDB has issued notices to contractors, requesting information, notices of accreditation offences and employee information notices, notices where they have to appear at our office within 14 days,” he said.
He said CIDB obliges homeowners to carry out renovations using contractors registered with CIDB because they would not want untoward incidences in which contractors chosen cannot meet construction standards of this country.
“If homeowners use a contractor who is not registered with CIDB, especially a foreigner, they bear all the risks since they cannot make any claim as CIDB cannot act against the contractor,” he said.
According to Zahidi, there are currently 6,250 active contractors registered with CIDB in Penang and hence there is no reason for house owners to hire unregistered contractors.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
