TWO lifts are currently operating in each of the four blocks of Flora Damansara medium-cost apartments in Petaling Jaya.
According to a report, after an inspection carried out by the Occupational Safety and Health Department (DOSH) Selangor on Aug 25, most of the lifts were declared unsafe and were not usable.
During this period, residents had to wait in long queues to use the only functioning lift in each block, with many resorting to using the stairs.
StarMetro’s Sept 4 report on the lift issue at Flora Damansara.Deputy director-general of DOSH Malaysia, Bahrudin Mamat, stated that the joint management body (JMB) of the apartments has repaired two lifts in each block.
These lifts were subsequently issued with a certificate of fitness (CF) to operate.
“In 2020, following a maintenance inspection by DOSH, the JMB was instructed to carry out repairs on the lifts,” explained Bahrudin during a phone interview with StarMetro.
“However, due to a change in management and financial constraints, these repairs were not carried out.
“Certain parts of the lifts required replacement.”
An additional inspection conducted last month revealed that the lifts were still unsafe.
“The majority of the lifts were sealed, leaving only one lift in each block operational as it had the least issues,” he added.
“In recent weeks, the management of the apartments has repaired at least two lifts in each block.
“We have inspected these lifts and granted them a CF.
“The JMB is currently addressing the financial aspect in order to repair the remaining lifts.”
Bahrudin mentioned that certain management bodies prefer not to have their lifts checked by DOSH due to the fear that they might be sealed if found unsafe.
“Whenever DOSH inspects lifts and deems them unsafe, we seal them until the necessary repairs can be carried out, as it concerns the safety of people,” he explained.
“My recommendation is to promptly repair any minor lift issues, since failing to do so could lead to the problem worsening and incurring higher costs to rectify,” he added.
When approached, Flora Damansara JMB chairman Syamsul Razman Muhammad mentioned that the management body is currently collecting outstanding payments and arrears from residents to fund the repairs required for all the lifts.
Flora Damansara consists of 2,541 units located in Damansara Perdana and is home to over 9,000 residents across the four blocks, each comprising 25 floors.
There are a total of 19 lifts, with three blocks having five lifts each and one block having four lifts.
In a report published on Sept 4, StarMetro stated that during his visit to Flora Damansara, Member of Parliament for Damansara, Gobind Singh Deo, pledged RM12,000 to cover the costs of the lift repairs.
Only approximately 60% of residents are currently paying their monthly maintenance fees, which has resulted in the lifts not being serviced as regularly as they should be.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
