"Unaddressed Complaints: Accountability Issues in Vistana Heights Housing Project"

                                         The above is probably only for public consumption.

I recently saw a Facebook post about the Bangkok tower collapse from a month ago, but as usual, such posts are shared without follow-up. I've been vocal about the lack of accountability among Sabah's civil servants, particularly regarding unanswered emails about a housing project in Kota Kinabalu.

In the Vistana Heights case, I’ve accused the developer, Topwira Corporation Sdn Bhd, and the architect, LYS Architect, of using a fabricated as-built survey. As a former manager at a Licensed Surveyor’s office with over two years of experience, I can read drawings and stand by this claim. The professionals involved—engineers, architects, and surveyors—seem to escape accountability for what I consider gross negligence.

I requested a meeting with Puan Rosemary Ahping, GM of LPPB (the landowner), the developer, and all professionals involved, but despite multiple attempts, no meeting was arranged. 

On June 28, 2023, six months after my initial complaint, the Sabah Surveyors Board (Lembaga Jurukur Sabah) conducted a site visit to measure height differences between the road and house platform at Vistana Heights. They promised to share the plotted diagram, but despite repeated requests, I’ve received nothing. LINK

An email from LJS on January 15, 2025, signed by En. S. Dzulkarnain S. Abdillah (Principal Assistant Director) stated:

"The Board is still looking into your complaint about the As-built survey plans for Taman Puncak Vistana, Iramanis, due to further verification from the authority."

This response came after multiple reminders, despite my complaint being filed in December 2022. LINK

Puan Tantinny, DBKK’s Town Planning director, also ignores emails. I asked whether the 1995 Development Plan provided to me was the latest and if any subsequent plans existed. I was verbally told, by her staff, there were none, and LPPB confirmed the same. DBKK consistently fails to respond to my emails.

The Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia, to which I complained about the architect on February 14, 2023, is still “investigating.”

When civil servants and statutory bodies ignore complaints, what options do ordinary citizens have? Must everything be resolved in court?