Non-payment of service fees, management locks up fire extinguishers
Sitting ducks in case of fire

The Malay Mail 6/3/2006 By Rahman Daros

KLANG, SELANGOR, March 6

For the past two years, about 500 residents of a five-storey apartment in Sungai Kapar Indah have been living dangerously.

In the event of an inferno, the residents of the two-year-old Apartment Ceria would have no chance.

As most of them refused to pay the service and water charges — which they say is exorbitant — to the apartment’s management since 2004, they have been denied access to the fire fighting equipment.

As a result, the 15 fire extinguishers have been kept under lock and key by the company at its office.

There are also no water hoses or fire alarms at the medium-cost apartment which is home to 168 families.

The nearest Fire and Rescue Department is about 10km away. During peak hours, fire-fighters may take up to 30 minutes to reach the apartment.

"Why should we pay service and water bills meant for condo units, when we live in a low-cost apartment?" asked technician Naru Govindan, 36, who owns a unit.

"It’s unfortunate that the management’s only concern is money, rather than our safety," he told The Malay Mail yesterday.

Like other residents, Govindan received a letter from the management in November, 2004, stating the new water rates.

In the letter, the residents were informed that the new rate had been increased from 75 sen to RM1.20 per cubic metre, as Apartment Ceria was considered a condominium with facilities comprising elevators, swimming pool and an automatic gate.

"We only have the automatic gate. Where are the swimming pool and elevators?

"When we moved into our units, we expected to have adequate fire protection. We were dead wrong.

"We learnt that the fire extinguishers could only be used when maintenance staff were around, and that too, during office hours. What if a fire breaks out after office hours?" asked Govindan.

Another resident, housewife Haslinda Abdul Majeed, 35, fears for the safety of her three children.

"My husband sometimes works on weekends. If our neighbours are not around, we will not have any help in the event of a fire.

"It’s dangerous for children to be left alone. If the fire extinguishers are placed on the wall of every block, residents would be able to fight fires immediately," she said.

Recently, the residents forwarded their complaints to the Consumer Association of Klang.

Association president Devdass Anjan hoped the management would reconsider its decision to lock up the fire-extinguishers.