Not 100% accurate. Yes, developer will need to go through those steps to prove that the units are not sellable. But I don't think they need to pay any of the discount foregone to anyone. So you will see a lot of developers actually extremely happy to do up the bumi lots so that they can sell it for a higher price later. The developer will sell the units at non-bumi price once opened up and with current trends, more expensive.

For sub sales and 2nd hand unit, your appeal starts from land office but ends with MB office. There is no premium but a minimal penalty sum payable. The approval is not from datuk bandar as it has nothing to do with Majlis or Dewan people with bumi status. I have done way too many bumi to non bumi transactions before to safely say it is quite easily done.

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Added on April 17, 2012, 11:48 am

I believe they meant they have opened up the unit to non-bumi purchasers with consent from the relevant authorities. If it is the developer that is selling you the unit you need to check the reputation of the developer. If it is of reputation, then you need not worry. For them to sign the SPA with you would mean that they are confident of transferring the property to your name.

Not sure if it applies to all states in Malaysia but I do know in most of my residential land titles, they will put in a win all clause which says if the property ever falls into the hand of a bumi, it will automatically be a bumi lot. And you will need consent to sell it to a non  bumi in future. As long as transactions are between non-bumis then the above do not applies.