The Star Online: Metro: Central
The Star Online: Metro: Central |
| MBPJ should not have left vacant flats in disrepair Posted: 31 Jan 2013 04:05 AM PST THE TAMAN Putra Damai and Kota Damansara public housing project were built by the Federal government to uplift low-income families and help them obtain decent, secure and clean housing. Both the high-rise low-cost projects were handed over to the Selangor government with the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) acting as the landlord to ensure high standards of maintenance. However, MBPJ has failed to put in place strategic measures to ensure good upkeep of the two projects. Selangor MCA liasion committee vice-bureau chief for health affairs Datin Wong Fong Leng said the Federal government had built the public housing projects to provide houses with affordable rental for low-income families, senior citizens and the disabled. "We are flabbergasted that MBPJ has failed to put into place mechanisms to ensure that the apartments are kept in a liveable condition. MBPJ claims the vacant units were vandalised, leaving it without water and electrical connections but this state of disrepair would not have happened if the council had stationed two enforcement officers to patrol each block in shifts," she said. Taman Putra Damai PPR, which comprises eight blocks of 12-storey buildings, has 428 vacant apartments while Kota Damansara has 158 vacant units that have been vandalised and are unfit to live in. Yesterday, Wong who visited the apartments said MBPJ was wasting rate-payers' money carrying out the repairs over and over while it ignored simple but vital precautions to prevent if from happening. "I have been told the council wanted to cut down on overtime for enforcement officers. Overtime would not have come too much but the repairs are costing close to RM1mil annually. Now, the council has resorted to the unwise move of getting the new tenants to rehabilitate the apartments and move in," she said. "This goes against the Federal government's idea of providing affordable housing. "The Selangor government and MBPJ are unable to manage the public housing and have shifted the blame to the people. Now, the urban poor are burdened with repair bills that are no fault of theirs. The vandalism could have been done by outsiders," she said. Wong said MBPJ, as the landlord, must keep the structure, exterior and interior of the properties in good condition and whatever damage must be put right. "Landlords must ensure that premises rented out are fit to be lived in. People are not demanding for a furnished apartment but it must be fit to live in. Basic amenities and even the front door must be intact. But here the front doors are missing. It is outrageous," she said. She said based on feedback, tenants are afraid to keep their motorbikes in the parking area and even resort to bringing the vehicles up to their units. "If the Selangor government cares for the people then it must order MBPJ to provide enforcement officers to guard the flats and give peace of mind to the tenants. I have been told some miscreants take the opportunity to cannibalise the stolen bikes in the vacant units and this is a crime," Wong said. She added that MBPJ must repair all the lifts within two weeks and not cause further hardship to the people. |
| Posted: 31 Jan 2013 03:57 AM PST LANE CLOSURE Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) will be closing the left-most lane on Jalan Cheras (Kajang-bound) beside the motorcycle lane starting today until April 12 to facilitate utilities relocation works along the 600m stretch of the road. The lane closure will be done in stages, from 9pm to 5am. Also, the alternative motorcycle lane for a stretch of 200m in the Kajang-bound direction will be closed for two years starting today until Jan 30, 2015 to facilitate utilities relocation works and construction of the Taman Bukit Ria Station. As an alternative, motorists can use Jalan Cheras (Kajang-bound) and Jalan Sembilang. ASSESSMENT TAX PAYMENT The Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) has opened a mobile counter to facilitate assessment tax payment from Feb 16 to 17 and Feb 23 to 24 at Aeon (Jusco) Taman Equine, from 11am to 8pm. MPSJ ratepayers can check, make enquiries and payment, print bills, update mailing address and apply for property transfer via the mobile counter. For details, call 03-8026 3286 / 3285/ 4317 / 4316 / 4314. MAINTENANCE WORKS The KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway (Latar Expressway) will undertake maintenance and remedial works until May 2. Road users are advised to follow traffic signage and instructions by Latar workers along the affected stretch. For details, call the Latar hotline at 03-6145 1515 or visit www.latar.com.my SELF TRANSFORMATION The Centre for Prana Yoga & Self Transformation will be a organising a workshop titled "Achieving Oneness with the Higher Soul" for those who are interested in pursuing a spiritual path. To know more about the workshop, there will be a free preview talk by senior Arhatic Yoga practitioner and Pranic Healing instructor Indra Ramamoorthy on Feb 1, at 7.30pm, at Zenith 1 Corporate Park, Block D, 41-1, SS 7/26, Kelana Jaya, Selangor. For details and reservations, call 03-7887 1028 / 012-974 2028 or visit www.pranichealingmalaysia.org WORLD WETLANDS DAY The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) are celebrating World Wetlands Day on Feb 2 at Kuala Selangor Nature Park (KSNP). Come with your family and participate in exciting nature-based activities like tree planting and guided walks. Activities start from 10.30am onwards and admission to KSNP is free. For details, call 03-3289 2294 or visit www.mns.my ANTENATAL WORKSHOP Sri Kota Specialist Medical Centre Klang (SKSMC) will be organising a free "Antenatal Workshop" on Feb 23 from 2pm to 5.30pm at SKSMC, 2nd Floor, Conference Room (SK Terbilang). There will be health talks by a panel of doctors as well as an antenatal exercise. Participants are advised to bring along suitable attire for the exercise. Basic health check will be given. To book a seat, call 03-3373 3636 ext 7313 / 7335 / 7356. |
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