The joint management body (JMB) for Flat PKNS Tapak Maha in Taman Datuk Harun, Petaling Jaya, is struggling with outstanding debts despite a maintenance fee of just RM25 a month. The JMB uses this fee for the upkeep of the common property. Surprisingly, even the Selangor government, which owns units used as staff quarters, has not paid its outstanding debt of RM132,841.03 as of June 2022 for parcel rent, fire insurance, and maintenance fees. This has made it difficult for the JMB to address issues such as blocked drains, deteriorating rubbish collection services, and pest infestations.
This abandoned unit is one of Selangor government’s staff quarters.
Aside from the state government, other unit owners have also defaulted on payment for over 20 years, accumulating thousands of ringgit in debt since 2000. Some owners have even encroached onto drainage areas and exceeded their strata parcels with illegal renovations, resulting in the highest outstanding balances of RM5,568 and RM6,083. The chairman of the JMB, Anuar Surau, attributes these issues to legacy problems that have existed for decades.
Anuar inherited legacy problems that began decades ago. Anuar emphasizes the desperate need for funds to prevent further deterioration of the flats and highlights the pressing issue of blocked drains, which have become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and pests. He refrains from speculating on whether the blocked drains are a result of owners renovating and extending their units over drains, citing the complexity of legacy problems related to illegal renovations. The JMB also needs funding to tackle the problem of bulk waste dumping, as they currently lack the funds to purchase Roll-on Roll-off bins.
About 50% of unit owners have stopped payments long ago, accumulating unsettled bills since 2010. Among these defaulters are 40 units owned by the Selangor government, serving as staff quarters for Jabatan Bekalan Air Selangor. These units remain unpaid, resulting in an outstanding debt of RM132,000, including insurance money. Out of the 40 units, 19 are currently occupied by Air Selangor staff, while the rest are in poor condition. Some of the unoccupied units have deteriorated due to exposure to the elements and have been left in a filthy state.
Rahimah Basri, the JMB treasurer, reveals that the JMB reached out to the Selangor government last year, who promised to settle the outstanding balance by January 2023. However, as of today, no payment has been received. The walk-up flats, constructed in 1983, comprise five blocks with a total of 360 units. PKNS managed the flats until 2009, after which the Commissioner of Buildings (COB) took over in 2010. A management firm was later appointed to oversee the building’s maintenance until a JMB was established in 2016.
Kak Som, a nearby resident, expresses her frustration with the filthy conditions surrounding the units owned by the Selangor government, stating that it is unfair for her to pay maintenance fees while living in such conditions. Another resident, Johari Jikir, agrees, saying that the neglected surroundings resemble a kampung rather than a flat. Taman Medan assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin is aware of the situation and plans to address the issue, emphasizing that Selangor has sufficient funds to settle its fees.
StarMetro has reached out to Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS), and the Selangor government for their response, but has not received a reply at press time.
However, a representative from the Selangor state secretariat assures that they will respond to the matter as soon as possible.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
