By Chan Wei Chao (REN 39846), Team Leader, Bricksmen Team · IQI Realty Sdn. Bhd. · Updated 9 November 2026
TEDUH, the Housing and Local Government Ministry’s (KPKT) public housing data portal, is a useful first check before buying a new property, but it cannot tell you whether a developer will deliver. That is the argument of a column in The Star on 8 November 2026 by Brig Gen Datuk Goh Seng Toh, who calls TEDUH “a starting checkpoint, not a clean bill of health”.
What TEDUH shows
- Developer licence status
- Advertising and Sales Permits (APDL)
- Project progress milestones
- Lists of projects classified as delayed, sick or abandoned
- Some approvals, such as extensions of time and approved selling prices
Its limitations, according to the column
| Limitation | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| A licence is not proof of ability | It shows a developer may legally sell, not that it can control costs, keep cash flowing or hand over on time |
| A sales permit is not a certificate of competence | An APDL does not prove technical capability |
| Track records are not public | Delivery history, delays and disputes are not shown to buyers |
| Warnings come late | A project is flagged only once it is formally classified as delayed or sick |
| The burden falls on buyers | “Check before you buy” expects ordinary buyers to judge financial and engineering risk |
The writer suggests a “TEDUH 2.0” with a developer performance profile (delivery record, extensions of time, defects, disputes and ownership links) and an early-warning risk indicator, using data KPKT already holds.
How to check a developer before you buy
TEDUH is still worth using, together with your own checks:
- Check TEDUH first. Confirm the developer’s licence, the sales permit and whether any of its projects are listed as delayed, sick or abandoned.
- Look at past projects. Visit completed developments by the same developer or group. Ask owners about handover timing, defects and how complaints were handled.
- Find out who is behind the company. Many projects are sold under a new company. Check which group and directors are behind it.
- Read the sale and purchase agreement. Note the delivery period and the late-delivery compensation.
- Ask your banker and lawyer. Banks and lawyers often know which developers have had problems.
On every project page on this site, we list the developer and the group behind it, so you can start your checks there. Browse all Penang projects.
Frequently asked questions
What is TEDUH?
A KPKT portal that publishes housing project data, including developer licences, sales permits, project progress and lists of delayed, sick or abandoned projects.
Does a licence mean a developer is reliable?
No. A licence means the developer may legally develop and sell. It does not show its track record or financial strength.
Should I still use TEDUH?
Yes. It is a good first check, but combine it with your own research on the developer’s past projects.
Need help checking a project?
I can share what I know about a developer’s past projects in Penang before you commit. WhatsApp or call +60 10-313 9113.
Sources
This article is general information based on a published opinion column and our own experience as of 9 November 2026. It is not legal advice; buyers should consult a lawyer before signing any agreement.