Fadhlina stands in for Nga, says maintenance defaulters cannot be barred from homes

KUALA LUMPUR: Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek answered housing-related questions in the Dewan Rakyat today, standing in for Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, who was absent.

Her appearance prompted Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Md Nor to ask whether there had been any cabinet changes.

"I was not aware of any cabinet changes and so on. Is the education minister representing the housing and local government minister?" he asked.

"Datuk Speaker, I am representing…" Fadhlina began, before Ramli asked her to proceed.

He clarified that another minister could answer questions in Nga's absence, but a deputy minister could not do so during Minister's Question Time.

Fadhlina said strata management bodies could not prevent owners who defaulted on maintenance fees from entering their homes. However, they could deactivate electronic access devices and suspend the use of common facilities.

"However, such restrictions are not an absolute licence to completely prevent owners from entering their own units," she said in reply to Jimmy Puah Wee Tse (PH-Tebrau), who asked whether strata management bodies could legally restrict access over unpaid maintenance fees.

She said joint management bodies and management corporations could take administrative action against defaulters 14 days after they received an arrears notice. This included requiring them to sign a visitors' register.

However, owners whose lift access cards had been deactivated must still be given safe and reasonable access to their units. This could include registering with security personnel before using a lift or service staircase.

Management bodies could also suspend the use of parking spaces on common property. However, they must allow vehicles temporary access to drop off passengers or goods.

Fadhlina said owners were legally obliged to pay maintenance charges and sinking fund contributions. Non-payment affected safety, services and community welfare, while placing a greater burden on those who paid regularly.

"The ministry wishes to remind management bodies that physical restrictions are only a disciplinary measure, not the only solution," she said.

She added that supplementary questions would be answered in written replies.