Taking matters into their own hands

03/08/2008 New Straits Times By R. Anbustreets@nstp.com.my

KLANG: Owners and residents of Prima Bayu Apartments in Bayu Perdana here took charge and formed a joint management body to address problems on maintenance following the developer's failure to respond to the set up.

Residents' Association chairman P. R. Rajah said the body had to be formed, although under the law the management body should comprise the developer and residents. He said a letter was sent to the developer urging it to set up the management body, but there was no response.

"Following which residents lodged a complaint with the Commissioner of Buildings, which is under the Klang Municipal Council.

"The council appointed an agent to help us form the joint management body which was supposed to comprise the residents and the developer. But the developer did not turn up.

"This is the first meeting where an agent has been appointed to help us form the body," he said at the meeting recently.

In the absence of developer Palm Grove Sdn. Bhd, the meeting was conducted by Peter Chong, the agent appointed by the council.

Rajah was elected as chairman of the joint management body, Albert Yeow as deputy chairman, V. Gunaseelan as secretary and V. Kalaisilvan as treasurer.

Prima Bayu comprises 672 apartments with 3,000 residents. Not all are owners, some companies have rented the flats to house their workers.

Rajah said the residents have had various problems especially on maintenance and security.

Klang MP Charles Santiago, who was present at the meeting, advised developers in Klang to work closely with residents to work out complaints and problems.

"Many complaints from residents of apartments have been about the lack of maintenance and the developers' lackadaisical attitude."