Taman Mount Austin flat buyers are urging the state government to help resolve issues they have been facing for the past 19 years. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
BUYERS of Taman Mount Austin flats in Johor Baru are urging the state government to intervene and help to resolve issues they have been facing for the last 19 years.
Its resident committee chairman Suhaini Mat Isa revealed at a press conference that six out of the 10 blocks of flats had yet to be completed since 2003.
He said several meetings had been held with the developer where they promised to complete the project but there was still no progress.
“The project has been abandoned since 2003.
“The developer said it decided not to build three out of the six remaining blocks that are not completed.
“They claim that this is because there is no one buying the units in those blocks.
“However, there are those who have bought units there and are still waiting. In fact, some have already passed away,” he added.
Suhaini noted that there were also many issues plaguing residents of the four completed blocks, including maintenance.
“We received notices on unpaid electricity and water bills that the developer failed to pay.
“In June, we received a notice of RM13,000 worth of unpaid water bills and over RM90,000 for electricity.
“These bills were supposed to be settled by the developer yet they have failed to respond.
“We are worried that our water and electricity may be cut off if this continues,” said Suhaimi, who lives in one of the completed blocks.
Meanwhile, a buyer whose unit was in an abandoned block, Lihayati Abdul Rahman, 48, said she and her husband bought the unit back in 2002.
“The building was supposed to be completed the following year but that never happened.
“The last time we spoke to the developer was before the Covid-19 pandemic, where it said it would not continue with the project,” said the housewife.
Puteri Wangsa assemblyman Amira Aisya Abd Aziz Amira, who was also present at the site, said she would look into meeting the developer and the state government to resolve the issue.
“We are looking at meeting state housing and local committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor to discuss the matter.
“We also urge the state government to blacklist such developers for creating problems for buyers,” she said.
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Amira is looking into meeting the developer and state government on the issue.
Suhaini says six out of 10 blocks are yet to be completed since 2003.
