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Baiduri residents
out on the edge
06/01/2006 NST By Naveen Mathew Menon
Petaling Jaya Selatan MP Hee Loy Sian (fourth from left) and Taman Medan assemblyman
Haniza Mohamed Talha (in tudung) with Taman Impian Baiduri residents looking
at the shoddy roof of the low-cost flats.
PETALING JAYA: In 2005, residents of Taman Impian Baiduri low-cost flats thought
they were moving into their dream homes.
S. Sathasivam, deputy chairman of the residents’ association of Taman Impian
Baiduri
Hee Loy Sian, member of parliament for Petaling Jaya Selatan
Haniza Mohamed Talha, assemblyman for Taman Medan
But to their dismay, they had to put up with many problems.
S. Sathasivam, deputy chairman of the residents' association of Taman Impian
Baiduri, said: "We have no strata titles, no Certificate of Fitness and the
developer did not adhere to the sales and purchase agreement.
"Even though our apartments are relatively new, they are starting to look
rundown because hardly any maintenance work is done.
"When we asked the developer (Taipan Focus Sdn Bhd) why cracks in the walls
and roofs, broken lifts and other problems were not being remedied, they said
the residents were not paying the maintenance fees.
"But only the residents of 326 of the 1,344 units have not paid their maintenance
fees," Sathasivam said.
"Roughly 75 per cent of the residents here are paying monthly maintenance
fees which now amount to over RM2 million.
"The question is where has the money gone to? No year-end statements have
been provided for the last three years.
"Our safety has been compromised because the developer has not fixed grilles
on the windows and walkways of the building. Anybody, especially children,
can slip and fall from the building.
"The top of our building has no proper roofing. If water pipes break down,
it is difficult to fix them because the roof is blocking the pipes. We are
also not getting the first 20 cubic metres of free water that the state government
is giving.
"The developer said if we wanted the free water, we have to pay another round
of deposit. Currently, we are paying 90 sen per litre of water.
"The residents association will only form a Joint Management Body if the developer
fulfills all the provisions of the sale and purchase agreement. We want only
zero liabilities when we take over.
"There are two plots of land, one in front and one behind the flats which
are supposed to be padang for the residents. The area has not been cleared
and is full of lalang, trees and shrubs.
"An alternative road beside the padang connecting this housing area to Jln
229 has not been completed as promised," he lamented.
Hee Loy Sian, MP for Petaling Jaya Selatan and Haniza Mohamed Talha, assemblyman
for Taman Medan, met the residents and representatives of MPPJ on Monday to
discuss the various problems,
Hee and Haniza, who were taken by the residents to assess the deplorable conditions
of the flats, said they would talk to the developer.
"We have previously held discussions with the developer and they pledged to
solve the problems.
"But, so far they have failed to do so. If they do not keep their pledge,
we will bring the matter to the attention of the housing board," (Lembaga
Perumahan)," Hee said.
He said the building was highly unsafe because it had no grilles and the Fire
and Rescue Department had voiced its concern.
"It also has a lot of cracks and we will ask the housing board to check if
the buildings are fit for occupancy,"
A participant at the dialogue, who wished to remain anonymous, said some people
were injured when a lift fell from the third floor.
Hajar Ismail, chairman of the residents' association of Taman Impian Baiduri
and Moi Yeok Meng of the residents' association also attended the dialogue
session.
Many of the residents were also unhappy that there was no surau, kindergarten
or playing field in their area.
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