Strata properties should not turn into a 'trap' -Amirudin

KLANG – Strata homes are meant to improve people’s quality of life, not become a “trap” because of unresolved ownership issues, poor basic amenities or management problems.

Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the state government wanted to ease the burden on homeowners facing long-standing problems, particularly those left behind by developers who had failed to resolve ownership issues.

He said some developers involved in older projects had gone out of business or were no longer taking responsibility, leaving homeowners caught in lengthy delays over their property titles.

“Sometimes, the home is supposed to change their lives, but it becomes a trap that we do not want.

“Apart from infrastructure, utilities and basic amenities, we also look at community networks, as well as ensuring ownership of the strata property or land is registered in the respective owners’ names,” he said.

He was speaking at the 2026 Selangor Strata Community Empowerment Initiative Handover Ceremony here on Thursday.

Amirudin said clearing the backlog involved more than building plan approvals, local authorities (PBTs), land offices and land tax payments, as authorities also needed to gather and update information on property owners.

“Imagine a development with more than 200 units, sometimes thousands, and we have to spend a long time compiling the data and information.

“We need a more comprehensive process because several issues that were left unresolved in the past have to be addressed,” he added.

Amirudin also said the state government planned to strengthen the Ceria Programme, which has been running since 2009 to improve living conditions for residents in apartments, flats and other strata developments.

He said funding for the programme was expected to be increased next year to enable more housing areas to receive assistance.

“If we have a better solution, Insya-Allah, we are prepared to increase the Ceria fund next year because we want to ensure it can benefit more housing areas and provide continued support to apartments and flats that still need assistance,” he said.

Among the issues requiring attention are lift conditions, rubbish collection, water supply and other essential facilities. Amirudin added that stronger ties among residents were also important.

He said the effort required cooperation between the state government, PBTs, land offices, joint management bodies (JMBs) and residents.

“If everyone works together, the process can certainly be carried out quickly because everyone wants to resolve the problems together,” he said.

Amirudin said the state government had previously allocated between RM10 million and RM20 million over two years to help clear outstanding strata ownership issues.