‘Honest’ high-rise folk face water cut

The Star 22/11/2006 By K. SUTHAKAR

IT is not their fault but residents of more than 100 high-rise projects in the state may soon have their water supply disconnected by the Penang Water Supply Corporation Sdn Bhd.

The company is resorting to the drastic measure to recover several millions of ringgit in water arrears owed by management corporations, property managers and developers.

The action would be taken despite residents settling their water bills promptly.

Penang Water Supply Corporation Sdn Bhd corporate services manager K. Jeyabalan said the parties concerned have to pay for water usage in common areas and water lost through seepage within the project’s compound.

“We will give them one week to settle the amount, failing which, we will disconnect the supply to the whole project even though it will inconvenience residents,” he said in Penang yesterday.

He was commenting on the recent notice issued by the company to residents of Tanjung Court Condominium in Bandar Baru Air Itam over the failure of their property manager Bandar Baru Ayer Itam Management (BBAIM) Sdn Bhd to settle RM192,248 since 1996.

Residents complained the notice bearing the name of unit owner was dropped into the compound of each unit informing them about the supply disconnection.

Jeyabalan said the condominium and another project in South Seberang Prai were the first two projects in the state which had been issued the warning.

He said the onus was on management corporations, property managers and developers to repair leaking pipes within their compound.

“It is their responsibility to ensure the pipes had been laid properly and checked regularly to prevent seepage,” he said.

A BBAIM spokesman said the company paid RM26,466 to the water company on Monday to prevent the water cut.

This was in addition to the RM25,000 paid about 10 days ago, he said.

“We have asked for a discount on the balance sum since much of the water was lost through seepage.

“We have requested permission to settle the balance through 36 monthly instalments,” he added.