THE proposed enactment of the Residential Tenancy Act will not be tabled in Parliament in a hurry until it goes through an effective negotiation and engagement process, said Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.
In a post on social media, the minister said he was in the process of examining the views of various parties, including the National House Buyers Association (HBA) on the Bill.
According to him, he is aware that there are several components in the proposed Bill that are of public concern.
“I am well aware of it. In fact, I also feel unhappy, and even do not agree with some of the initial proposals put forward in this Bill,” he said.
Yesterday, HBA raised red flag over the several measures mooted in the Bill. Among its contention was that the under the new Act, the security deposits will be held by a Government agency instead of the landlords like the current practise.
The group also pointed out that the survey may be skewed towards the interest of tenants as most the respondents surveyed come from that group, 0r 65% of them.
The proposed law is aimed at addressing several issues pertaining relationship between tenants and landlords’ mooting several ideas such as establishment of a tribunal to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants as the mitigation process in court may involve high costs, issues of dealing with unreasonable rental rates as well as issues of racial discrimination between tenants and homeowners.
“The interests and justice to all parties are important in the drafting of this bill. Continue to give your views … we all want this bill to reflect justice and safeguard the interests of all parties,” Reezal added. – Feb 24, 2022.
