Be fair, say condo owners
02/03/2007 The Star Maniam, Wangsa Maju

I LIVE in a condominium in Kuala Lumpur, which I bought for RM94,000 in 1990. I bought it because I could not afford the double-storey houses in the neighbourhood, which cost RM140,000 each.

What I fail to understand is why the assessment for the more expensive houses is less than what I pay DBKL for my condo?

DBKL oversees rubbish collection for the terrace houses. It also handles cleaning of drains, maintenance of street lights, cutting of grass and maintenance of the playgrounds. However, those who live in the condos have to pay for the maintenance of the facilities, apart from paying the assessment rates.

The only service provided by DBKL for condo owners is collection of garbage at a central point.

The cost for the garbage to be moved to this central point is borne by the condo owners. Are condo owners who pay a higher assessment rate not entitled to any service or facilities from DBKL?

Recently, I requested DBKL set up a playground to replace the one, which was in a miserable state when the condo was handed over by the developer.

The reply was that it was a government policy that facilities were not provided for condo residents.

If that is the case, then how are playground facilities being provided for semi-detached houses in the neighbourhood?

The residents are definitely richer than us. It is high time this discrepancy is rectified.


Maniam, Wangsa Maju