The concept of Joint Management Body (JMB) finally landed in Sarawak.

In Sarawak, before March 2022, there is only one law that regulating and governing the management and maintenance of strata buildings, and issuance of strata titles, which is the Strata Titles Ordinance 1995 (STO 1995). 

Under STO 1995, strata management by Management Corporation only come in after the registration of strata titles and the Management corporation is incorporated upon opening of register. 

There is no provision mentioned about who is liable and responsible to manage and maintain the building before the issuance of strata titles. 

Between the period of after the Delivery of vacant possession  (DVP) until the issuance of strata titles, there is no laws or body that governing the operation and management of strata buildings before this.

Thus, it is up to the developer to maintain and manage based on the signed Deed of mutual government or the house rules make by the developers. 

As to address the issues and grey area related to the management and maintenance of strata building, the state government of Sarawak has on the 1st March 2022 started enforced the new laws, the Strata Management Ordinance 2019.

Under the new strata law, Strata Management Ordinance 2019, it is the duty of the developers to convene the First Annual General Meeting within 12 months from the first delivery of vacant possession for the purpose to establish the Joint Management Body (JMB) and to elect the Joint Management Committee as to represent the JMB in carry out the day to day operation in managing and maintaining the strata buildings.

So is the JMB/ JMC a good thing for the owners of unit within the stratified building? Or just to facilitate the developer to runaway from their responsibilities? The answer can be yes or no, depend on what we want to achieve. 

Some owners perceived this as developer try to wash their hand off. This is not really true. Through AGM and with the legal entity as JMB, JMB can demand the developer to clear off or handover to the residents in proper manner. And with the JMB, the owners have the better position to lodge complaint to Commissioner of building.

I hope with the new legislations, the strata community scheme in Sarawak can progress much better so the interest of the purchasers/ owners can be protected under the laws.

To me, the process of getting strata titles is very long processs. Thus, the provision to allow for JMB/ JMC is beneficial to everyone provided that everyone including the authority understand clearly what is written in the law. Full participation from the owner is very crucial in determine the succeed of JMB/JMC.