Residents of Bandar Tasik Selatan Low-Cost Apartments in Kuala Lumpur are calling for better upkeep of the complex. Among them are Nor Zaimi (in blue t-shirt), Firdaus (on Nor Zaimi’s right) and Mohd Fadli (on Firdaus’ right).
FRUSTRATED by frequent lift breakdowns, water supply cuts and other maintenance issues, residents of Bandar Tasik Selatan Low-Cost Apartments in Kuala Lumpur are demanding that a more capable joint management body (JMB) be elected to replace the current one.
They alleged that the current JMB had been negligent in their duties and had not held an annual general meeting since the members took office in 2017.
Acting as spokesperson for some 50 residents who gathered to voice their displeasure, Firdaus Babh, 35, said, “Residents who have paid their maintenance fees are in the dark as to how their money is being managed as the JMB has yet to show a statement of accounts.”
Resident Nor Zaimi Mohd Safran, 57, said that in addition to the lift and water woes, the grass around the apartment complex was often left to grow knee-high before trimming.
“This leaves us vulnerable to the dengue menace,” he said.
They also complained about a lack of parking space at the complex.
Residents also complain that the road is riddled with potholes. — Photos: YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
Bandar Tasik Selatan 1 Rukun Tetangga vice-chairman Mohd Fadli Jaini, 50, said the situation had become so serious that residents had to fork out RM50,000 of their own money to repair potholes and instal metal barriers near lift areas to prevent the entry of motorcycles and to maintain safety.
Residents are also concerned about a homeless man now occupying the security guardhouse at the apartment block complex.
When contacted, JMB Bandar Tasik Selatan 1 chairman Hashim Saad assured the residents that the man was harmless.
“He suffers from epilepsy. He used to live in Block B but after his parents died, he had nowhere to go.
“He is getting food from a nearby mosque and I have informed the Welfare Department about his plight,” Hashim elaborated.
On the other issues raised by residents, he said the crux of the problem laid in the lack of funds.
Nor Zaimi showing a broken-down lift.
“When I took over as JMB chairman in 2018, there was only RM39,000 left in the account.
“Previously, I was told that there was RM2mil in the sinking fund,” he said.
“The property, which comprises 1,440 units in five blocks, was also facing challenges in terms of unpaid maintenance fees, including water bills and fire insurance.
“Until March this year, the total arrears for all five blocks combined is RM355,701.40,” he added.
Hashim revealed that only two days after becoming JMB chairman, he had to deal with Air Selangor cutting off water supply to the property because the previous JMB owed RM141,000.
“There is no way we can maintain the apartment facilities if residents do not pay up,” he said, adding that the committee would cut water supply to the units of the defaulters.
As for road repairs, Hashim said he had sought help from Bandar Tun Razak MP Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar as well as Housing and Local Government Ministry.
“It will cost RM80,000 to re-pave the road and cover the potholes.
“The application process will take time, so I urge residents to be patient,” he added.
