High-rise residents at Bandar Baru Ayer Itam, Paya Terubong want solution to their problems

PENANG (Oct 16): Sick and tired of long-standing problems plaguing the high-rise buildings they are living in, residents Bandar Baru Ayer Itam and Paya Terubong are hoping the authorities can help them.

According to a report by The Star, these problems include poor maintenance of the lifts, faulty old rooftop storage tanks, depleted sinking funds, security issues.

“The issues raised are everyday problems and we need to find solutions.

“We have been receiving complaints on these issues and it had gone on for too long.

“It’s time for all the stakeholders to come together and resolve the problems.

“Issues like lift maintenance needs to be taken seriously. It is a basic requirement for lifts to work every day.

“I want to resolve all the issues involving the multiple properties managed by BBAIM (Bandar Baru Ayer Itam Management Sdn Bhd) within the next six months to a year,” Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh said during a media conference at his service centre in Lintang Angsana, Bandar Baru Ayer Itam, on Sunday, reported the English daily.

Ramkarpal also said he would bring the problems faced by the residents to the Housing and Local Government Ministry and the Penang government over the next two weeks.

According to The Star, BBAIM is a subsidiary of Farlim Group Bhd -- the developer of the township responsible for building the bulk of the high rise projects around Bandar Baru Ayer Itam.

Meanwhile, Paya Terubong assemblyman Yeoh Soon Hin explained that some of the “rootcauses” of the problems faced by the residents were legal issues.

“Most of the condos are leasehold, and not freehold. According to the existing law, the only owner is the Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, which is the landowner of the township.

“To resolve this, we need to look at the legality of these issues,” The Star reported him saying.