12/11/2008 The Star Story and photos by STUART MICHAEL

THE residents of the D’Alora and Mediterranean apartments in Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam, are unhappy over the occupation of their apartment blocks by foreigners.

To make things worse, their apartment blocks are also in a deplorable state due to the unruly behaviour and unbecoming habits of the foreigners and poor maintenance.

During a recent site visit by StarMetro, it was found that nearly 70% of the units are occupied by foreigners who are vulgar, filthy and inconsiderate and are giving the local residents a miserable and frightening time.

The foreigners are damaging the lifts, phone booths and throwing rubbish indiscriminately in and outside the apartment blocks, which are slowly turning into a concrete slum.

The residents have no proper place to throw their rubbish. They have to go to the ground level to throw their rubbish and each trip down the five-storey staircase is a frightening experience due to the uncivil foreigners, some scantily dressed.

All theirs: Some of the foreigners seen chatting in the afternoon at the volleyball court at D’Alora apartments

There is also no guard at the guardhouse and the main gate is open throughout the day.

The foreigners, from Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Pakistan, Nepal and India, often loiter in the compound of the blocks or play football in a nearby field.

The residents are afraid to let their children play outside the apartments or in the field.

Even the swimming pool and clubhouse are in a deplorable state.

According to M. Segaran, who has been living in his apartment for a year, children who want to play football are intimidated by the foreigners occupying the field.

“Our children do not go to the field to play now.

“The security there is terrible with so many crimes like snatch thefts, molestation and vehicle thefts. There has been no security guard for our apartments for the last six years,” he said.

“Many local residents have moved out and rented out their apartments. Those who stay on don’t feel safe at all,’’ Segaran said.

“We pay a maintenance fee of RM75 a month but the foreigners renting the units don’t pay a sen for it but still get to use the facilities,” he said.

“There is only one balai in Taman Sri Muda with only one corporal and six constables looking after 37,000 residents in the township.

“The place should have a police station instead of just a beat base,’’ he said.

The Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), as the commissioner of the apartment building, is expected to meet the residents and developer soon to discuss the setting up of a joint management body (JMB) to address the problems faced by the residents.

The maintenance company Hokkawai & Associates, which took over the management in July, faced many problems as it has to maintain the clubhouse, see to the rubbish collection, ensure the lifts are in working order and also hire security guards.

When Hokkawai & Associates took over the management of the blocks, it could only collect about 20% of the maintenance fees. Hence, it has not been able to operate effectively.