KOTA KINABALU: Warisan Kota Kinabalu Division Secretary Loi Kok Liang has called on the developer of The Loft condominium in the city to immediately disclose the full application process and current status of the long-delayed strata title issuance. Loi, who is also a unit owner in the project, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the developer’s lack of transparency and accountability over the years.
It is understood that The Loft’s Blocks A and B received their Occupation Certificates (OC) as early as 2014, while Blocks C, D, and E followed in 2015. Yet, nearly a decade later, the buyers have still not received their official strata titles. Loi described the delay as “unacceptable”.
“Buyers have been living here for years, yet we are still without a legal title. Without this, our ownership status remains unclear, which limits our ability to safeguard our property, obtain financing, transfer ownership, or even plan for future real estate arrangements,” he said.
Loi criticised the developer for remaining silent on the strata title process, showing a serious lack of transparency and respect toward buyers.
He called on the developer to disclose the following key information:
Has an official application for strata titles been submitted to the Land and Survey Department? If so, when?
What stage is the application currently at? Are there issues with surveying, approvals, or registration?
Is there any human-caused delay? If so, what remedial actions are being taken by the developer?
When is the strata title expected to be fully issued?*
“We are not asking for a favour—just for the legal document that rightfully belongs to us, along with a proper explanation.”
Legal System Lacks Timelines, Enabling Widespread Delays
Loi pointed out that while Sabah’s Housing Development Enactment 1978 does place responsibility on developers to handle the strata title process, it does not set a clear legal timeframe. Furthermore, the law lacks meaningful punitive mechanisms for prolonged delays.
“Existing penalties mostly apply to unlicensed development, false advertising, or failure to place trust monies—but there is virtually no enforcement or punishment for developers who drag out strata title issuance for years,” he said.
“This has led some developers to disregard the importance of strata titles altogether, treating buyers’ rights as secondary and exploiting loopholes in the system.”
“Warisan Previously Planned Reforms, Vows to Revive Legal Overhaul*
Loi further noted that during Warisan’s previous administration, the party had already recognised the outdated nature of the housing law and had begun working on possible reforms. However, due to a shortened term, the legislative amendments could not be completed.
“We understood then, as we do now, that these legal grey areas are hurting both the market and the public. For the sake of fairness, consumer protection, and Sabah’s long-term development, Warisan will prioritise these long-overdue reforms once we return to government.” Urges The Loft Developer to Clarify Strata Title Progress
KOTA KINABALU: Warisan Kota Kinabalu Division Secretary Loi Kok Liang has called on the developer of The Loft condominium in the city to immediately disclose the full application process and current status of the long-delayed strata title issuance. Loi, who is also a unit owner in the project, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the developer’s lack of transparency and accountability over the years.
It is understood that The Loft’s Blocks A and B received their Occupation Certificates (OC) as early as 2014, while Blocks C, D, and E followed in 2015. Yet, nearly a decade later, the buyers have still not received their official strata titles. Loi described the delay as “unacceptable”.
“Buyers have been living here for years, yet we are still without a legal title. Without this, our ownership status remains unclear, which limits our ability to safeguard our property, obtain financing, transfer ownership, or even plan for future real estate arrangements,” he said.
Loi criticised the developer for remaining silent on the strata title process, showing a serious lack of transparency and respect toward buyers.
He called on the developer to disclose the following key information:
Has an official application for strata titles been submitted to the Land and Survey Department? If so, when?
What stage is the application currently at? Are there issues with surveying, approvals, or registration?
Is there any human-caused delay? If so, what remedial actions are being taken by the developer?
When is the strata title expected to be fully issued?*
“We are not asking for a favour—just for the legal document that rightfully belongs to us, along with a proper explanation.”
Legal System Lacks Timelines, Enabling Widespread Delays
Loi pointed out that while Sabah’s Housing Development Enactment 1978 does place responsibility on developers to handle the strata title process, it does not set a clear legal timeframe. Furthermore, the law lacks meaningful punitive mechanisms for prolonged delays.
“Existing penalties mostly apply to unlicensed development, false advertising, or failure to place trust monies—but there is virtually no enforcement or punishment for developers who drag out strata title issuance for years,” he said.
“This has led some developers to disregard the importance of strata titles altogether, treating buyers’ rights as secondary and exploiting loopholes in the system.”
“Warisan Previously Planned Reforms, Vows to Revive Legal Overhaul*
Loi further noted that during Warisan’s previous administration, the party had already recognised the outdated nature of the housing law and had begun working on possible reforms. However, due to a shortened term, the legislative amendments could not be completed.
“We understood then, as we do now, that these legal grey areas are hurting both the market and the public. For the sake of fairness, consumer protection, and Sabah’s long-term development, Warisan will prioritise these long-overdue reforms once we return to government.”
