Housing development process
This post is an attempt to answer the question on the newspaper article attached – ‘Who is responsible for this?’
The architects are appointed as consultants for drawing up development plans based on the developer's ideas and on the initial ground topographical survey done by the Licensed Surveyor who is also appointed as a consultant by the developer. The consulting Engineer appointed by the developer is also involved in the development planning from the initial stage to the end. Likewise, the architect and the Surveyor are involved from beginning to end.
Who then is responsible if standard Malaysian cars are unable to be driven up the driveway?
Once every authority tasked with approving different aspects of the proposed plan, approves the plans then it is implemented by the contractor appointed by the developer, according to the approved DP.
While construction takes place, all consultants inspect the work in progress to see that the contractor is performing the work according to the DP. The Surveyor is not engaged on a continuous basis, like the architects and engineers, but as and when the Engineer requires him to perform some setting out, checking levels, directions, boundary limits etc they get involved.
Once construction is complete an As Built Survey (''ABS'') is done by the Surveyor. These are checked by Engineers (and architects where necessary) to make sure the final product has fully complied with the approved development plan.
A question now arises as to why the surveyor named in the S&P did not do the ABS. A correspondence between Faisal (my son) and Jessie Lee (one of the directors of the developer) comes to mind. Here is what Jessie Lee wrote to Faisal on Mon, Oct 22, 2018 at 6:51 PM Topwira Corporation Sdn Bhd <topwiracorporation@yahoo.com> wrote:
Architect:
1. Finalising on the street name, house numbers and registration for assessment with DBKK.
2. Finalising on landscape planning.
C&S consultant:
1. Pending for surveyor to amend the as-built drawings for the relevant local authorities before they submit for the application of inspection & OC.
Why would a surveyor amend the as-built drawings?
Sometimes there may arise ground situations where minor deviations may be needed to be made to the approved DP, after the ABS. Then the deviations need to go through a similar approval process. Here the purchaser's approval will be required as well. Another ABS is done to reflect the final ground situation for approval.
The consultants certify to this effect for the developer for his approval and acceptance. Then he obtains the Occupancy Certificate from DBKK and the developer hands over the houses to the S&P holders.
This is the usual process in the development of this type.
If there was any error/difference in the final product compared to the approved DP, it will go back to the drawing board and the errors will be rectified before final approval.
The email from Jessie Lee states the following:
21 Mac 2019:
DBKK earthwork department has conducted its necessary inspection.
Today:
1. DBKK Road/traffic department has conducted their inspection at 9.20am; and
2. Jabatan Air contractor is again testing the water pressure for the pump house serving Vistana Heights.
The question that begs an answer is – What inspection did DBKK conduct before approving the amended development plan? Does the amended development plan reflect what is on the ground?
We shall examine how the professionals screwed up the Vistana Heights project in our next article.
The developer has refused to include me in a meeting that the residents and owners of Vistana Heights requested. If there is transparency, responsibility and integrity why will I not be allowed to attend and ask these questions of the developer and consultants?
The red highlight is by me for emphasis.
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