THREE lifts at the Tanjong Court flats in Bandar Baru Air Itam have been replaced at a cost of RM484,000 under the Penang Maximum 80% Maintenance Fund (TPM80PP) scheme.
Paya Terubong assemblyman Wong Hon Wai said the project involved blocks 8C, 8L and 8P.
He said the flats were built in 1993 and the original lifts had seen decades of use.
They were among the earliest high-rise residential projects in the area.
“The lifts had never been replaced, causing inconvenience and raising safety concerns for residents,” he said during a visit to inspect the lifts.
Wong said he helped the management corporation (MC) apply for funding from the Penang State Housing Board in June last year and approval was granted in August.
“The project aimed to comprehensively upgrade the lift system and equipment, improve residents’ quality of life, ensure their safety and meet the community’s basic needs,” he said.
The TPM80PP scheme was introduced to help residents of high-rise properties repair and upgrade essential common facilities such as lifts, water tanks and roofs.
Under the scheme, the Penang government bears 80% of repair costs while the MC or joint management body (JMB) covers the remaining 20%.
“This arrangement has significantly reduced the financial burden on residents, especially those living in low-cost and low medium-cost high-rise housing, in maintaining common facilities.”
Wong added that from 2008 to May 10 this year, the state government had allocated RM99.42mil under the TPM80PP scheme for 1,049 maintenance projects statewide.
He said lift upgrading and replacement accounted for the highest number of projects at 556.
According to residents’ feedback, the newly commissioned lifts have improved convenience and safety, particularly for senior citizens, children and those with mobility issues.
“This is not merely an infrastructure upgrading project.
“More importantly, it reflects the state government’s long-standing commitment to safeguarding the welfare of high-rise communities and continuously improving the people’s living environment and quality of life,” Wong said.
Representatives from the Bandar Baru Air Itam Management Corporation were also present during the visit.
