Come forward, buyers of abandoned condo urged
By FAZLEENA AZIZ
THE Platinum Damansara Buyers Pro tem Committee is urging more affected buyers to come forward in a bid to resolve problems surrounding the abandoned condominium project in Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya.
According to the committee, the project developer got into difficulties and stopped construction in the middle of 2007 without informing the buyers.
In December 2007, the buyers received letters sent by a firm on behalf of the developer, proposing a takeover by an investor and requesting the buyers to forgo certain benefits offered when the units were initially sold.
By February 2008, the debenture holder had appointed a company as Receivers and Managers of the project.
The committee held a meeting with about 50 affected buyers, in the hope of seeking new avenues they could pursue.
Several issues were brought up by the committee members during the meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, such as how the developer did not have a bank account and that only 30% of the project was completed based on overall assessment, as well as getting legal aid.
The main concern of the buyers was that most had already paid 80% of the cost of the units and were looking for a solution to reduce their instalment payments.
Committee chairman Lawrence Ang said they would be seeking the state government’s help on the matter.
He said they would also be meeting the officers from the National Housing Department tomorrow.
There are 674 affected buyers of the project.
Those who are affected and want more information can log on to http://platinumdamansara.org/.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
The Light At The End Of The Tunnel?
Water meter migration mandatory in Selangor
By SALINA KHALID
THOSE who live in flats, apartments and condominiums will be able to enjoy the Selangor government’s free water benefit soon as the water meter migration has been made mandatory.
The Selangor government last week decided to make it compulsory for all high-rise developments to change the existing bulk water meters to individual meters.
“All developers, management agents, management corporations and joint management boards are required to iron out with Syabas all the problems they face which hinder the migration process.
“Any developer who refuses will be blacklisted by the state government,” Selangor Housing, Building and Squatter Management chairman Iskandar Abdul Samad said.
He said the decision was made by Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim during the Selangor Economic Action Com-mittee Meeting last week.
The free water policy, which was implemented by the state government after the March 2008 election, allows property owners to enjoy the first 20 cubic metres of water for free. However, the policy covers only those who have individual account billing using their individual water meters. The policy did not cover the majority of residents in high-rise buildings, which have bulk water meter system. It includes the low-income group staying in low-cost flats.
“Previously, Syabas would only allow the migration from bulk to individual water meter if all unit owners agreed to the migration. Syabas had also required all arrears to be settled before the migration,” Iskandar said.
Exemption from the 100% agreement by owners was only made when the owners were foreigners or in the process of selling their units.
Changing to individual water meters would allow owners to pay 57sen per cubic metre instead of the RM1.38 per cubic metre for apartments and condominiums and 80sen per cubic metre for low-cost flats that they are now paying. Currently, condominium residents have higher water bills as they are charged commercial rates as opposed to those with landed property, who pay a lower rate.
The accounts for the bulk meters are under the name of the management corporations (MCs) or the developers, so the rates are based on commercial rates.
A bulk water bill is sent to the management company, which in turn will charge the units for the amount of water used.
Problems arise when some of the residents fail to settle their water bills and accumulate arrears over the years, and water supply to the whole building is cut.
“Those who pay their bills on time will not have to worry about that problem as supply will only be cut to those who fail to pay their own bill, not on the bulk meter,” Iskandar said.
The fact that every one can get individual accounts was good news to many high-rise residents.
“We’ve been waiting for this. We’ve been asking the state government to make this water meter migration exercise mandatory.
“We are happy that it is finally coming true,” said Condominium, Apartment and High-rise Com-mittee (CAHC) pro tem chairman Tengku Nazaruddin Zainuddin.
He said they had received numerous complaints by condominium owners and residents on difficulties faced from the bulk meter issue.
Most of them, he said, could not switch to individual meters because of their failure to get the consent of all the residents.
He added that some MCs and developers were also not in favour of the migration. Many MCs are using the water meter as a bargaining tool to force owners to pay the maintenance fees, as MCs issued both bills together.
Haryati Hamzah, who lives in a medium-cost apartment in Damansara Damai, Petaling Jaya, said the move would enable her to save on her monthly bills.
The mother of four said her current water bill was more than RM50 per month. “We surely can use the money on something else, especially during the hard times now,” said the housewife.
By SALINA KHALID
THOSE who live in flats, apartments and condominiums will be able to enjoy the Selangor government’s free water benefit soon as the water meter migration has been made mandatory.
The Selangor government last week decided to make it compulsory for all high-rise developments to change the existing bulk water meters to individual meters.
“All developers, management agents, management corporations and joint management boards are required to iron out with Syabas all the problems they face which hinder the migration process.
“Any developer who refuses will be blacklisted by the state government,” Selangor Housing, Building and Squatter Management chairman Iskandar Abdul Samad said.
He said the decision was made by Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim during the Selangor Economic Action Com-mittee Meeting last week.
The free water policy, which was implemented by the state government after the March 2008 election, allows property owners to enjoy the first 20 cubic metres of water for free. However, the policy covers only those who have individual account billing using their individual water meters. The policy did not cover the majority of residents in high-rise buildings, which have bulk water meter system. It includes the low-income group staying in low-cost flats.
“Previously, Syabas would only allow the migration from bulk to individual water meter if all unit owners agreed to the migration. Syabas had also required all arrears to be settled before the migration,” Iskandar said.
Exemption from the 100% agreement by owners was only made when the owners were foreigners or in the process of selling their units.
Changing to individual water meters would allow owners to pay 57sen per cubic metre instead of the RM1.38 per cubic metre for apartments and condominiums and 80sen per cubic metre for low-cost flats that they are now paying. Currently, condominium residents have higher water bills as they are charged commercial rates as opposed to those with landed property, who pay a lower rate.
The accounts for the bulk meters are under the name of the management corporations (MCs) or the developers, so the rates are based on commercial rates.
A bulk water bill is sent to the management company, which in turn will charge the units for the amount of water used.
Problems arise when some of the residents fail to settle their water bills and accumulate arrears over the years, and water supply to the whole building is cut.
“Those who pay their bills on time will not have to worry about that problem as supply will only be cut to those who fail to pay their own bill, not on the bulk meter,” Iskandar said.
The fact that every one can get individual accounts was good news to many high-rise residents.
“We’ve been waiting for this. We’ve been asking the state government to make this water meter migration exercise mandatory.
“We are happy that it is finally coming true,” said Condominium, Apartment and High-rise Com-mittee (CAHC) pro tem chairman Tengku Nazaruddin Zainuddin.
He said they had received numerous complaints by condominium owners and residents on difficulties faced from the bulk meter issue.
Most of them, he said, could not switch to individual meters because of their failure to get the consent of all the residents.
He added that some MCs and developers were also not in favour of the migration. Many MCs are using the water meter as a bargaining tool to force owners to pay the maintenance fees, as MCs issued both bills together.
Haryati Hamzah, who lives in a medium-cost apartment in Damansara Damai, Petaling Jaya, said the move would enable her to save on her monthly bills.
The mother of four said her current water bill was more than RM50 per month. “We surely can use the money on something else, especially during the hard times now,” said the housewife.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Gated and Guarded.....
Bill specifies terms and conditions
THE Gated and Guarded Communities Bill 2009 was drafted by the Tropicana Residents Association to allow the installation of barriers and/or boom gates at the entry and exit points to the area.
It also addresses the appointment of security guards to operate the barriers and/or boom gates and to patrol the community.
It also touches on several issues like the application for approval of a gated and guarded community.
The application for approval for new developments has to be made by the developer to the local authority before the development is approved.
It also said that the developer shall inform buyers of the conditions of such communities through provisions in the sale and purchase agreements, especially on matters relating to the cost of provision and maintenance of security services.
Application for approval of an existing gated and guarded community shall be made by the registered residents’ association (RA) only to the local authority, with consent of at least 51% of the registered owners.
The developer or the registered RA, if applicable, would have the power to fix and collect service charges for the provision of security services and facilities by the developer provided such charges are agreed to by at least 51% of the registered owners and approved by the local authority.
The bill also states that all payments for service charges, whether by the developer or RA, shall be deducted from the annual assessments paid by the owners to the local authority.
Among other issues addressed are the authorisation of security guards, use of guard dogs, powers of stopping, arrest and detention, power to stop vehicles, power to require the production of national registration identity card within the community, power to require the production and inspection of driving licence, 24-hour operation of barriers and boom gates, construction of guardhouses and erecting fencing.
THE Gated and Guarded Communities Bill 2009 was drafted by the Tropicana Residents Association to allow the installation of barriers and/or boom gates at the entry and exit points to the area.
It also addresses the appointment of security guards to operate the barriers and/or boom gates and to patrol the community.
It also touches on several issues like the application for approval of a gated and guarded community.
The application for approval for new developments has to be made by the developer to the local authority before the development is approved.
It also said that the developer shall inform buyers of the conditions of such communities through provisions in the sale and purchase agreements, especially on matters relating to the cost of provision and maintenance of security services.
Application for approval of an existing gated and guarded community shall be made by the registered residents’ association (RA) only to the local authority, with consent of at least 51% of the registered owners.
The developer or the registered RA, if applicable, would have the power to fix and collect service charges for the provision of security services and facilities by the developer provided such charges are agreed to by at least 51% of the registered owners and approved by the local authority.
The bill also states that all payments for service charges, whether by the developer or RA, shall be deducted from the annual assessments paid by the owners to the local authority.
Among other issues addressed are the authorisation of security guards, use of guard dogs, powers of stopping, arrest and detention, power to stop vehicles, power to require the production of national registration identity card within the community, power to require the production and inspection of driving licence, 24-hour operation of barriers and boom gates, construction of guardhouses and erecting fencing.
Monday, June 29, 2009
...and problems continue,...
Penduduk buat laporan polis
DAMANSARA – Penduduk Apartmen Flora Damansara semalam membuat laporan polis berhubung tindakan terhadap Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bersama (JMC) dan juga pihak pengurusan bangunan yang didakwa gagal menjalankan tugas serta amanah dengan baik.
Pengerusi Persatuan Penduduk Flora Damansara, Abdul Hakim Amir berkata, pihaknya mengambil keputusan itu kerana memikirkan kepentingan awam apabila kedua-dua pihak tersebut dilihat tidak berminat untuk menyelesaikan masalah melibatkan blok di bawah pentadbirannya.
Menurutnya, kedua-dua pihak itu pernah dua kali dijemput secara rasmi melalui surat untuk menghadiri sesi dialog bersama penduduk, namun ia hanya dipandang sepi.
“Kita pernah mengadakan sesi dialog pada 25 dan 29 Mei lalu, namun tiada sebarang jawapan diberikan menyebabkan penduduk mula mempertikaikan kewibawaan kedua-dua badan itu.
“Banyak masalah perlu diselesaikan umpamanya kerosakan pam di Blok D yang semakin serius yang langsung tidak diberi perhatian sejak tiga tahun yang lalu hingga memaksa penduduk di 569 unit di situ hidup dalam tidak selesa.
Menurut Hakim, kerosakan pam yang tidak diberi perhatian itu menyebabkan koridor penduduk digenangi air setelah pam tidak berfungsi yang menyebabkan air tangki melimpah.
Katanya, pihak persatuan penduduk juga kesal kerana JMC dan pihak pengurusan bangunan menuduh penduduk melakukan vandalisme melalui memo yang ditampal di setiap blok.
“Ini merupakan satu fitnah kerana ia bertujuan untuk memburukkan dan menjatuhkan reputasi penduduk kerana tiada bukti kami merosakkan pam itu,” katanya
Dalam pada itu menurut Hakim, pihak Suruhanjaya Bangunan (COB) di bawah Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ) juga mengeluarkan arahan secara rasmi supaya pihak pengurusan bangunan mengemukakan akaun kira-kira kepada penduduk untuk diteliti.
Difahamkan pengurusan PAMA Services baru mengambil alih pengurusan bangunan blok C, D, E,F dan H dari Allied Property Management sejak April lalu.
DAMANSARA – Penduduk Apartmen Flora Damansara semalam membuat laporan polis berhubung tindakan terhadap Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bersama (JMC) dan juga pihak pengurusan bangunan yang didakwa gagal menjalankan tugas serta amanah dengan baik.
Pengerusi Persatuan Penduduk Flora Damansara, Abdul Hakim Amir berkata, pihaknya mengambil keputusan itu kerana memikirkan kepentingan awam apabila kedua-dua pihak tersebut dilihat tidak berminat untuk menyelesaikan masalah melibatkan blok di bawah pentadbirannya.
Menurutnya, kedua-dua pihak itu pernah dua kali dijemput secara rasmi melalui surat untuk menghadiri sesi dialog bersama penduduk, namun ia hanya dipandang sepi.
“Kita pernah mengadakan sesi dialog pada 25 dan 29 Mei lalu, namun tiada sebarang jawapan diberikan menyebabkan penduduk mula mempertikaikan kewibawaan kedua-dua badan itu.
“Banyak masalah perlu diselesaikan umpamanya kerosakan pam di Blok D yang semakin serius yang langsung tidak diberi perhatian sejak tiga tahun yang lalu hingga memaksa penduduk di 569 unit di situ hidup dalam tidak selesa.
Menurut Hakim, kerosakan pam yang tidak diberi perhatian itu menyebabkan koridor penduduk digenangi air setelah pam tidak berfungsi yang menyebabkan air tangki melimpah.
Katanya, pihak persatuan penduduk juga kesal kerana JMC dan pihak pengurusan bangunan menuduh penduduk melakukan vandalisme melalui memo yang ditampal di setiap blok.
“Ini merupakan satu fitnah kerana ia bertujuan untuk memburukkan dan menjatuhkan reputasi penduduk kerana tiada bukti kami merosakkan pam itu,” katanya
Dalam pada itu menurut Hakim, pihak Suruhanjaya Bangunan (COB) di bawah Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ) juga mengeluarkan arahan secara rasmi supaya pihak pengurusan bangunan mengemukakan akaun kira-kira kepada penduduk untuk diteliti.
Difahamkan pengurusan PAMA Services baru mengambil alih pengurusan bangunan blok C, D, E,F dan H dari Allied Property Management sejak April lalu.
Monday, June 22, 2009
More on 663 in parliament..
Puan Teresa Kok Suh Sim [ Seputeh ] minta MENTERI PERUMAHAN
DAN KERAJAAN TEMPATAN menyatakan bilakah Kementerian akan
membentangkan peraturan (regulations) yang sepatutnya terkandung
bahawa Building and Common Property (Maintenance & Management Act
2007). Apakah Pesuruhjaya Bangunan (Commission Of Buildings) boleh
mendakwa pemaju yang enggan mengikut arahannya berdasarkan
Seksyen 17(7) dalam akta tersebut.
DAN KERAJAAN TEMPATAN menyatakan bilakah Kementerian akan
membentangkan peraturan (regulations) yang sepatutnya terkandung
bahawa Building and Common Property (Maintenance & Management Act
2007). Apakah Pesuruhjaya Bangunan (Commission Of Buildings) boleh
mendakwa pemaju yang enggan mengikut arahannya berdasarkan
Seksyen 17(7) dalam akta tersebut.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Current Developments in Selangor
In order to address some of the issues regarding the functions and effectiveness of the COB in the different PBTs in Selangor; the Selangor State Government has appointed PETUGAS KHAS 663 for each of the PBTs.
These officers will be based in the various PBTs and will assist the COB with the duties and responsibilities related to it. These same officers whilst being placed at the PBT, will also be reporting back to the EXCO incharge ie: YB ISkandar, the Exco for Perumahan.
Mr Lim Im Chee MPKJ
En Ahmad Syahmi MPK
En Mohd Ijhar MPS
En Nor Azman MPAJ
Mr Mak K W MBPJ
Mr Peter Chong MPSJ
For Information Only
These officers will be based in the various PBTs and will assist the COB with the duties and responsibilities related to it. These same officers whilst being placed at the PBT, will also be reporting back to the EXCO incharge ie: YB ISkandar, the Exco for Perumahan.
Mr Lim Im Chee MPKJ
En Ahmad Syahmi MPK
En Mohd Ijhar MPS
En Nor Azman MPAJ
Mr Mak K W MBPJ
Mr Peter Chong MPSJ
For Information Only
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Our Concerns To Be Raised in Parliament
The following is a question that YB R SIVARSA the Member of Parliament for SUBANG will raise in Parliament at the coming session beginning on 16th June 2009.
Tuan R. Sivarasa [Subang] meminta Menteri Kerajaan Tempatan dan Perumahan menyatakan apakah rancangan yang sedang dan akan diambil oleh kementerian untuk mengatasi masalah pengurusan kediaman berstrata khasnya di pangsapuri kos rendah yang timbul akibat Akta 663 yang diperkenalkan dalam tahun 2007.
We look forward to the response from the Minister. We hope to be able to post the response here.
Meanwhile, we would like to say a big Thank You to YB Sivarasa for raising our concerns. We hope that the problems faced by Strata Titles Property owners will be given due attention by all concerned.
Tuan R. Sivarasa [Subang] meminta Menteri Kerajaan Tempatan dan Perumahan menyatakan apakah rancangan yang sedang dan akan diambil oleh kementerian untuk mengatasi masalah pengurusan kediaman berstrata khasnya di pangsapuri kos rendah yang timbul akibat Akta 663 yang diperkenalkan dalam tahun 2007.
We look forward to the response from the Minister. We hope to be able to post the response here.
Meanwhile, we would like to say a big Thank You to YB Sivarasa for raising our concerns. We hope that the problems faced by Strata Titles Property owners will be given due attention by all concerned.
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