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The announcement by the Negeri Sembilan State Government that they will ask AmFinance to withdraw the auction order on 31 houses in Taman Jaya Lukut pending settlement by the developer, Astana Strategi (M) Sdn. Bhd is a welcome decision and should give a sense of relief to the affected house buyers who have been victimized.   Media Statement by Loke Siew Fook (Seremban, Wednesday):  The announcement by the Negeri Sembilan State Government that they will ask AmFinance to withdraw the auction order on 31 houses in Taman Jaya Lukut pending settlement by the developer, Astana Strategi (M) Sdn. Bhd is a welcome decision and should give a sense of relief to the affected house buyers who have been victimized.   It was very clear that the affected house buyers who have bought their houses in Taman Jaya Lukut with cash a few years ago was the victims of the irresponsibility of the developer and it is most unfair to them if their house which has been fully paid has to be auctioned.   I’ve spoken to the House Buyers Action Committee members over the phone to discuss the latest development. Although all of them were quite relieved with the development, however they are still not fully convinced with the developer’s promise to redeem their land titles in 6 months. They want all promises to be inked in black and white in the presence of lawyers or representatives from the State Government.   The State Government must realize their responsibility to the rakyat and the interests of the house buyers must be their top priority and must not be compromised at whatever costs. The State Government must not give the impression that they are standing in the side of the developer.   DAP Negeri Sembilan therefore urges the Negeri Sembilan State Government to make a commitment to be fully responsible to the house buyers if in any circumstances, the developer fails to deliver their promise to redeem the titles for the 29 buyers since the State Government has asked for a period of six months from the bank on behalf of the developer.   Dr Yeow Chai Thiam’s defence of Astana director Datuk Wong Akau that the latter was sincere about solving the problem did not speak well in his capacity as a Senior State Executive Councilor as the problem should not have happened in the first place. Is he trying to suggest that the irresponsible action of the developer is tolerable?   (9/7/2003)   * Loke Siew Fook,  DAP Negeri Sembilan State Secretary,