More to the problem than expected
30/10/2008 The Malay Mail

What was supposed to be a simple elevator problem turned into more than what the residents of Taman Sentul Utama on Jalan Dato Senu 26 expected.

While investigating with the Social Security Organisation in Block 211 in January, residents found the elevator could be fixed for RM12,000, an amount that was deemed affordable. They pooled their resources to make their living quarters a better place for everyone.

When all the elevators in the five blocks ceased to work altogether four months ago, another investigation was conducted in October with the Social Security Organisation.

This time, electronic chips and motors were missing. That would cost about RM64,000 to fix.

“A thief planning on stealing the components would have to go through three locked doors to get to the motor room.

There was no sign of a breakin, which makes the situation all the more suspicious,” said Azmi Abd Aziz, secretary of the pro-tem action committee.

The residential area is made up of five blocks, each with two elevators. Two years ago, one elevator in each block broke down. Despite complaints to the management company, Sentul Murni Management, no action was taken.

When all the elevators ceased to work four months ago, it became torturous for the residents. Almost 50 per cent of the 8,000 residents were senior citizens. Climbing up a flight of steps in bad condition was already trying for them, what more for those on the top floor — the 12th.

“This problem has been going on for two years. Initially we thought it was the elevators alone but we discovered there were other problems caused by this,” said Azmi.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Senator T. Murugiah, was at Taman Sentul Utama yesterday to inspect the area. He will be meeting with the residents and the two developers — Olympia Land and Sentul Murni Management — today at Putrajaya to find a solution to the problem.