Homeowners file originating summons against PR1MA

A group of PR1MA homeowners filed originating summons against the agency at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today over the devaluation of their properties.

The 1,058 individuals claim that PR1MA’s decision to offer rebates of up to 20 percent to new homeowners is unfair and had caused them significant financial losses. They are applying for the discount to be declared “null and void.”

Representing them today was lawyer Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz, also known by his moniker 'Buzze Azam.'

“The government offered a 10 percent stamp duty exemption through the Home Ownership Campaign (HOC)," he told reporters outside the courtroom.

“That was alright, but now PR1MA is also offering rebates between 15 and 20 percent on top of the existing discount.

“This means 30 percent in rebates, and some existing homeowners have incurred RM100,000 in losses,” he said to the media outside the courtroom.

For example, Khairul said, an existing homeowner might have bought their PR1MA unit for RM350,000 previously, but that same property is now only valued at just RM250,000 due to the discounts and rebates available.

In the originating summons sighted by Malaysiakini, the plaintiffs want PR1MA’s rebate scheme, which was rolled out along with the HOC discount, to be nullified.

They are also seeking an order to be compensated for rebates which they missed out on at the purchase price stated in their sales and purchase agreements.

Furthermore, they want an interim injunction on all existing rebates and discounts offered, including advertisements about them, until their case is decided in court.

The suit mentions 24 PR1MA projects: Kuala Ketil, Sg Petani Utama, Sungai Ular, Puteri Jaya 1, Padang Meha and Junjong in Kedah; Tapah, Sungai Raia, Bagan Serai, Kampar and Kamunting in Perak; Alam Damai and Jubilee in Kuala Lumpur; Melaka Tengah 1, Melaka Tengah 2 and A Famosa in Malacca; Gambang in Pahang; Lubok Jong in Kelantan; Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan; Marudu and Menggatal in Sabah; Bintawa and Semenggoh in Sarawak; Tebrau in Johor; and Padang Siding in Perlis.

Case mention has been set for July 16.  - Mkini