The High Court in Kuala Lumpur has directed Segi Objektif (M) Sdn Bhd to ensure that strata titles are issued to purchasers and the joint management body (JMB) of Suria Lake Town Apartment Blocks A and B at Bukit Merah Laketown Resort within 12 months.
In her decision, Justice Mahazan Mat Taib instructed the developer to take all necessary actions to apply for and obtain the strata titles, subject to statutory requirements and approvals from the relevant authorities.
Suria Lake Town Apartment was developed as a holiday and residential property within the broader Bukit Merah Laketown Resort, a project linked to MK Land Holdings Bhd. The case highlighted long-standing issues faced by purchasers due to delays in property management and title issuance.
The court found that buyers were significantly affected by the prolonged delay in establishing a joint management body. Although certificates of fitness for occupation were issued in 2005 for Block A and 2010 for Block B, the JMB was only formed in 2017, leaving owners without an effective platform to represent their interests for several years.
During this period, decisions affecting common facilities—including a swimming pool intended as a shared amenity—were made without proper purchaser representation. The court noted that such actions were inconsistent with the consumer protection principles embedded in strata management legislation, which is intended to safeguard property owners in stratified developments.
Justice Mahazan emphasised that decisions involving shared facilities should be handled transparently and in line with the rights of purchasers, particularly when management bodies are not yet fully established.
The court also dismissed a counterclaim by the developer amounting to approximately RM1.13 million, which related to maintenance expenses. The ruling concluded the developer was not entitled to recover the claimed amount from the JMB.
Legal representation for the purchasers and JMB was provided by Hakem Arabi & Associates, while the developer was represented by Andrew Davis & Co.
Cases involving strata title delays are closely monitored by investors and property buyers, especially in major markets such as commercial property in KL and high-density developments across Selangor. Timely issuance of strata titles remains a key factor affecting financing, resale value and long-term asset security.
For investors evaluating office space in Bukit Jalil, industrial property in the Subang area, or factories in Puchong, regulatory compliance and proper property management structures are equally critical considerations. Similarly, developers involved in industrial land in Selangor projects are increasingly aware that transparency, clear ownership structures and efficient documentation play an essential role in maintaining buyer confidence and sustaining long-term market demand.
As Malaysia’s property sector continues to mature, court decisions such as this reinforce the importance of governance, accountability and timely delivery of legal documentation across residential, commercial and industrial developments alike.
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