Flat woes being solved
29/06/2007 The Star By GEETHA KRISHNAN

AFTER seven years, Desa Ser-dang Phase 1 residents occupying the low-cost flats in Desa Serdang, Seri Kembangan, have finally reached a consensus to resolve their problems.

A pre-management committee (Pre-MC) was formed following a dialogue session between the Desa Serdang Phase I Residents Associa-tion and representatives from the Selangor Housing and Real Property Board, Kajang Municipal Council, Syabas, Alam Flora and developer Ampang Ukay on June 17.

Seri Kembangan assemblyman Datuk Liew Yuen Keong was present as mediator.

At a press conference previously, residents had voiced several concerns, specifically on the halt in maintenance services and the collection of maintenance fees by the developer since 1999. Non-issuance of strata titles was also brought up.

Concerned: Liew (middle) with Musa (second from left) at the Desa Serdang flats discussing the plight of the residents. On the right is Desa Serdang Umno branch chief Mohd Noor Che Mat.
Association president Musa Bakar Mydinsah pointed out that residents moved into the flats in 1995 but maintenance was stopped in 1999.

According to Musa the place had become unkempt since with broken water pipes, clogged drains, poor lighting and badly kept surroundings.

Musa also said residents had met up with the housing board three times in the past to raise other issues like the unavailability of the hall for residents use, poor infrastructure and garbage-related problems.

Liew said residents would work with Ampang Ukay to settle the amount owed to the developer in maintenance fees and quit rent and with Tenaga Nasional Bhd for the sum owed to TNB.

“The developer stopped collecting maintenance fees due to poor payment from residents and the amount now stands at RM302,000 while TNB is owed RM127,000. This resulted in the termination of maintenance services,” he said.

Liew also said the Pre-MC was formed for the association to coordinate its work with the board, developer, council, land office and utility providers.

“Residents who completed their loan payments could not sell or transfer their properties because the strata titles were still in the developer’s name,” he said.

“The developer has to settle outstanding issues like settlement of quit rent with the land office and other related matters with MPKj before individual titles can be issued,” Liew said.