KUALA LUMPUR (May 28): The Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (Rehda) Malaysia has called upon the government to make amendments to the Temporary Measures for Reducing the Impact of Coronavirus Diseases 2019 (Covid-19) Act (Act 829) announced last year to alleviate the impact of the restrictions to curb the pandemic on the economy.

In a press release today, the association’s president Datuk Soam Heng Choon cited delays to construction works caused by these restrictions, which will impact delivery of projects that already have set completion dates, thus necessitating changes to the Act that are critical to addressing problems that may arise as well as protect affected contracted parties.

The Act, which seeks to support the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package, Prihatin SME Economic Stimulus Package and the Short-term Economic Recovery Plan announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on March 27, April 6 and June 5 respectively, among others, also protects certain industries from legal actions for failure to meet contractual obligations.

However, the protections are set to expire at the end of June, following an extension in April.

The association also reiterated its support for the government in combating the pandemic, which has seen cases spike in recent weeks, and has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all developers and construction sites follow the stricter SOPs implemented without exception.