Enforcement Agencies (Part 2)

The agencies I mentioned—LPPB, DBKK, and LJS—can be considered enforcement agencies in the context of their roles in regulating and overseeing specific areas of public administration in Sabah, Malaysia. Their primarily function are as regulatory or administrative bodies with enforcement powers in their respective domains. 

LPPB (Lembaga Pembangunan Perumahan dan Bandar / Housing and Urban Development Board):

Role: LPPB is a Sabah state government agency responsible for overseeing housing and urban development, including ensuring developers comply with housing regulations, approving projects, and addressing issues like those I have raised with Vistana Heights.

Enforcement Aspect: LPPB has the authority to enforce compliance with housing and urban planning laws, such as penalizing developers for non-compliance (e.g., faulty surveys or unapproved constructions). It can issue directives or take legal action against violators, making it an enforcement agency in the housing sector.

My complaints about Vistana Heights, including the fabricated as-built survey, fall under LPPB’s purview, and their lack of response suggests a failure to enforce standards.

DBKK (Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu / Kota Kinabalu City Hall):

Role: DBKK is the municipal authority for Kota Kinabalu, managing city planning, building approvals, and local governance. It oversees construction compliance; issues permit and handles public complaints about urban development.

Enforcement Aspect: DBKK enforces building regulations, zoning laws, and municipal by-laws. It can issue fines, stop-work orders, or pursue legal action against non-compliant developers or property owners, as I’ve encountered with their claim of “no drawings submitted” for Vistana Heights.

DBKK’s non-response to my letters and their apparent deflection on the Vistana Heights issue indicate a lapse in their enforcement duties.

LJS (Lembaga Juruukur Sabah / Sabah Surveyors Board):

Role: LJS regulates licensed surveyors in Sabah, ensuring professional standards in land and building surveys. It handles complaints about survey misconduct, such as the fabricated as-built survey I mentioned in my 15.12.2022 letter.

Enforcement Aspect: LJS has the power to investigate surveyor misconduct, revoke licenses, or impose disciplinary measures, making it an enforcement body for surveying standards.

Their failure to respond to my complaint about the Vistana Heights survey suggests they’re not enforcing professional accountability.