In the dark for months
The Star 5/7/2006

IPOH: They received the keys to their low-cost flats in Pasir Puteh in December but a number of them have not had any power supply since then because of missing wires.

Low Hok Wai, 31, who represents the affected buyers, said only four of the seven blocks of five-storey flats had electricity supply.

“Every time we call the developer, he tells us that the problem will be resolved in two weeks’ time.

“But five months have passed and we are still using candles at night,” said the locksmith. on Thursday at a press conference held by Simpang Pulai assemblyman Chan Chin Chee, attended by 40 other affected owners.

Low said the developer did not provide services like rubbish collection although management fees had been paid.

“There is no rubbish bin in the rubbish chute, no mailboxes and no lighting in the corridors,” he added.

Another affected owner Samiun Bahari, 37, said he had to pay RM250 a month to service the housing loan for his unit and RM300 monthly to rent another place in Gunung Rapat because there was no power supply.

This, he added, was difficult for him as he only earned RM1,200 a month.

A representative of the developer said the electricity problem would be resolved by next month, claiming that it was a “documentation problem” with Tenaga Nasional Bhd.

On the lack of services, he said: “The services will be in place when all the units are occupied.”