PLAGUED with problems like non-issuance of strata titles, higher assessment rates than those of landed properties and problems with management companies, condominium owners and residents saw it fit to unite under the All PJ Pro Action Committee (APPAC) banner to fight for their rights last week.  

The APPAC condominiums, apartments and high-rise sub-committee (CAHC) began its task almost immediately when it urged relevant authorities to defer the water tariff hike until discussions could be held between the residents, the Government and Syabas. 

Speaking on behalf of the owners and residents who have grown tired over their constant conflicts with one authority after another, CAHC chairman Tengku Nazaruddin Zainuddin said, “Enough is enough.’’ 

“Why must condominium and high-rise building owners be singled out and made to pay commercial rates for water when we are also private owners?” was his first contention. 

“We must not be treated like outcasts,’’ he said. 

Syabas had promised to install individual meters for condominium owners so that they too could enjoy lower water rates. 

Presently, condominium owners are charged an exorbitant RM1.38 per cubic meter. “With the recent hike in water tariff, they are made to pay an extra 40% to 142% more than the appropriate domestic rate of 0.57sen per cubic meter,” said condominium resident Lee Chee Seng. 

“The rationale of not burdening the low usage group does not hold water, since this group is not even charged on a tiered scale. The old scale was already unfair, yet we are slapped with a flat increase even for usage below 20 cubic meters.” 

Some management companies are not willing to give up their hold over the water meters because they use it to ensure residents pay their management fees on time. Many even charge each home unit extra to pay for the water used in common areas like the swimming pool, for the cleaning of facilities and the watering of plants. 

“Individual meters installed by management companies may not be the same standard or approved by the authorities and would probably have to be replaced for Syabas to bill us individually, but do they have the resources to it for all condominiums?” asked Tengku Nazaruddin. 

“Can Syabas solve these problems with condominiums and high-rise building managements before implementing the increase? If they don’t, then they are just making an extra buck at our expense,” he said. 

“Syabas may have the monopoly for water in Selangor, but it does not mean it has carte blanche to do what it pleases,” said Tengku Nazaruddin. 

“Don’t let the poor go back to using the rivers, lakes and dig wells as their source of water supply,” he said.  

The committee is not stopping at just that one problem. 

“There are others such as the proposed amendments to the Valuers, Appraisers and Estate Agents Act, 1981 (VAEA Act) and our strata titles which have been in limbo for years.”  

Explaining the amendments, Tengku Nazaruddin said the new clauses allowed only the Board of Valuers, Appraisers and Estate Agents (BVAEA) and the Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (ISM) the final say in management and maintenance of stratified property in the country. 

He said such a monopolistic right to a group who were not trained to manage such property was a cause for concern. To tackle this issue, APPAC is joining forces with the Joint Action Group (JAG). 

JAG's membership is comprised of Property and Construction Committee, Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), The Institution of Engineers of Malaysia (IEM), Association of Consulting Engineers of Malaysia (ACEM), Malaysian Association for Shopping and High-Rise Complex Management (PPK), Malaysian Association for Shopping and High-Rise Complex Management (PPK) and six condominium management companies. 

On the issuance of strata titles being delayed for years, Tengku Nazaruddin claimed that the problem was due to a flawed government system. 

APPAC is striving for transparency, accountability and good governance while the CAHC is doing a detailed study on the assessment, strata titles and management company problems. 

“This is not our job, but we want to safeguard our future generations.”  

Residents who would like to get in touch with CAHC can call Tengku Nazaruddin at 012-284 9146, Chong Cheng Lai at 012-230 3639 and Koh Kheng Hoon at 03-7880 3084.