Break-ins have condo residents worried
The Malay Mail 14/2//2006 By Najiah Najib

AMPANG, SELANGOR, Feb 13
Residents of the Sri Pandan Condominiums in Pandan Mewah here are living in fear of burglars as many break-ins have been occurring there over the last two months.

Residents’ spokesman, Jonathan Tham, said most break-ins occurred without any sign of forced entry.

He said: "The doors and windows of condominium units were not damaged in most instances. The burglars must be experts in house-breaking."

Tham said the condominium which opened a year ago often changed its security management company.

"The security companies are not doing a good job."

Tham also said residents were unhappy over the condominium’s management company’s monthly expenses.

He said: "As of this month, our maintenance fee has been reduced from RM170 to RM120.

"This may sound like good news but we fear it might mean a reduction in security expenses. In other words, less security and more break-ins."

Tham said some university students renting units in the condominiums were a major nuisance.

"They, and perhaps their guests, smoke marijuana (ganja) at the emergency staircases and the garbage collection room.

"We even find condoms at the staircases at times.

"It could be coincidental, but ever since the students moved in last October, the lifts have often been vandalised," said Tham.

The residents complained to DAP Teratai consumer affairs chairman Khong Chee Seng yesterday.

Khong said he would arrange for a meeting among residents, the condominium management, the security company and the local council to address residents’ grievances.