Datuk Chew Sang Hai, President of Sabah Housing And Real Estate Developers Association (SHAREDA) congratulates and lauds the State Government under our visionary leader, YAB Chief Minister of Sabah Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal for the breakthrough to facilitate the fast-track approval system for Development Plans within 24-hours via the online portal “Electronic Planning Permission (ePP)” Application System just launched recently.

Datuk Chew said, “This is the best breaking news that we, at SHAREDA have been waiting for. This has been made possible with the determination and consideration of Datuk Seri Panglima and YB Datuk Dr. Haji Jaujan Sambakong, Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Local Government And Housing in collaboration with all the relevant ministries departments to study and review several measures and make structural changes, including to amend the laws within its framework.”

“In the past, developers suffered in silence because of projects that were stuck for years in the DP approval period with high holding cost incurred, while some took them many years to get the first interim approval. Hence, it is right to recuperate for lost time with a high stake in holding costs for project planning and operation. At least now there is transparency to smoothen the processors in staggered stages and make good of all the criteria for submission by the respective submission person.”

“This measure will not only re-boot our local developer’s confidence in the PH- Warisan Government (formed just less than 2 years ago), to drive and revitalise the economy and investments in the state but will also attract more investors to park their capital investments and developments here. This will create more job opportunities and related businesses downstream in the property sector.”

“I opined that the efficiency of the ePP system will be proven in time to be a key catalyst to guide the applicant on the parameter of the approval process online within 24 hours for all Local Authorities in Sabah. It is of utmost importance that at the first stage, the investor or developer has first-hand information on the status of their application for DP approval i.e. the type of development, compliance to land title/conversion, zoning, density, road excess, etc.”

“The availability of digital gazetted Local Plans in the ePP system in the near future will definitely alleviate better planning by the private sectors for right types of development, zoning and land use. SHAREDA Council and Members will continue to volunteer and give its strong support to complement and work closer with the State Government to boost the business economic growth and investments in the country, in particular, the housing and property development sector.”

“Also, to make good sound advice and recommendations to the current prevailing policies, guidelines and laws which are outdated. SHAREDA volunteers to sit into the steering or task force committee to contribute inputs or recommendations if warrant for a transparent and good governance system.”

“On Behalf of SHAREDA and members, once again I wish to congratulate YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal our Sabah Chief Minister, YB Datuk Dr Haji Jaujan Sambakong, Deputy Chief Minister/Minister of Local Government And Housing and his Ministry, YB Datuk Haji Safar Untong, State Secretary, State Computer Services Department, Lands And Surveys Department, Town and Regional Planning Department and Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu to have developed the ePP System, a reformed and structural change applicator in Sabah.”