A much-needed lift for low-cost flats

Wednesday June 23, 2010

By FAZLEENA AZIZ
fazleena@thestar.com.my
Photo by IQMAL HAQIM ROSMAN

THE Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) will add another two more areas with low-cost flats under its first phase of the lift-repairing project.
The corporation has begun repairing the lifts at the low-cost flats in three areas — Ampang Mewah, Taman Permai Indah, Port Klang and Desa Mentari Sunway in Petaling Jaya.
The two other areas have yet to be determined.
Desa Mentari, one of the three areas picked, received grants totalling RM1.6mil, for the repairs, which is scheduled to be completed by end of this month.

The chosen one: Desa Mentari in Sunway Petaling Jaya is part of the three chosen areas in Phase 1.

There are a total of 41 lifts at the low-cost flats in the three areas.
The second phase will feature another five areas and is expected to start after July.
State Housing, Building Management and Squatters committee chairman Iskandar Abdul Samad said the two more areas to be included in the first phase would be identified soon.
He said among the criteria they were looking for were the seriousness of the situation as well as the cooperation from residents.
“The project is on a cost-sharing basis where part of the cost will be borne by the residents at a minimal rate.
“We have asked PKNS to be involved because we want them to have the expertise in repairing lifts,” he said after visiting Desa Mentari Block 2.
The 12 blocks at Desa Mentari have 27 lifts.
Fifteen have been repaired under the first package.
The cost for first package is RM392,180 while the second is expected to cost RM165,200.
When asked about the theft of steel and aluminium in Taman Indah Permai, Iskandar said they were looking into the matter as there were elements of sabotage.
He also said they were educating local residents about taking care of the lifts and their premises through a campaign.
Desa Mentari Block 2 head Zainal Abidin Kamarulzaman said they had been facing many problems with the lifts.
He said there were inconsiderate residents who would ferry their motorcycles to their units using the lifts.
“We had to resort to installing steel gate in front of the lifts to deter such things.
“We are also trying to educate the residents to be more cooperative and to take care of their surrounding by having gotong-royong,” he said.
He also said they paid about RM45 as maintainence fee every month but only 45% of the residents paid up.
Zainal added that the defaulters owed a total of RM400,000 over the last six years.
They are planning to have a meeting to ensure the maintainance of the lifts as well as organising a gotong-royong exercise.
THESTAR