NUSAJAYA, Malaysia - Greedy developers are the main reason for the many abandoned housing projects in Johor.

State Local Government and Housing Committee chairman Datuk Ahmad Zahri Jamil said there were 12 abandoned projects involving more than 4,616 residential units.

"They (greedy developers) want to finish their projects early to make huge profits without having a strong cash flow," he said.

The Johor Baru district has the highest number of abandoned projects with four in Taman Cahaya Kota Puteri, Taman Seri Baiduri, Taman Desa Larkin and Taman Mewah Jaya.

Ahmad Zahri said the Ledang district was second with three abandoned projects, namely Taman Tangkak Emas, Taman Sri Nilam, Taman Sri Emas 7 while Batu Pahat's three abandoned projects were in Bandar Putera Indah, Taman Jasa Amir, and Taman Emas Surya.

The two stalled projects in Kluang are in Taman Mengkibol and Taman Sri Layang-Layang.

"Several steps have been taken to revive these projects," he said in his reply to Ng Lam Hua (DAP-Mengkibol) during the state assembly meeting yesterday.

Ahmad Zahri said new developers had been appointed to take over the projects with eight developers appointed by the Housing and Local Government Ministry and one by the state government.

He said the ministry was in the process of appointing new developers to rehabilitate Taman Mewah Jaya in Johor Baru, Taman Emas Surya in Batu Pahat and Taman Sri Layang-Layang in Kluang.

"We have to make sure that it is a win-win situation for both the new developers and house buyers," he said.