BY PRIYA MENON

The lack of civic consciousness is blamed for the dirty surroundings at PPR Kota Damansara in Petaling Jaya.

THE lack of civic consciousness is believed to be a major reason behind the dilapidated state of affairs at the PPR Kota Damansara in Petaling Jaya.

Several disgruntled residents along with non-governmental organisation Friends of Kota Damansara (FoKD) say a clean and safe environment can only be achieved with the cooperation of residents and the authorities.

Resident Zakaria Ismail said several residents and the management of the flats Perumahan dan Hartanah Selangor Sdn Bhd (PHSSB) organised a gotong-royongexercise once every two months.

“We want them to see the changes for themselves so that it will alter their perception, but many still do not turn up despite the free food and drinks PHSSB provides,” he added.

Zakaria, the former president of the PPR’s residents association (RA), also said some had shifted the blame to PHSSB, a subsidiary of Selangor Housing and Real Estate Board (LPHS).

PPR Kota Damansara had been in the limelight for its badly maintained condition as well as for the deaths of two boys in 2013 and 2015 respectively.

Selangor government recently released funds worth RM5mil for the refurbishment of the PPR.

Former RA secretary Zaliyana Nordin,41, admitted to the same but felt much had improved since PHSSB took over.

Zaliyana said improvements were made since PHSSB took over the reins from Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) in 2013.

In fact, she said, the maintenance works were on schedule and the grilles were being installed in stages in all four blocks as well as at the stairways.

There have been two deaths at the Section 8 Kota Damansara PPR flats in Petaling Jaya since June 2013, involving two five-year-old boys who fell from the 14th floor and sixth floor.

The first incident was caused by a rusty railing that gave way, while in the second incident in 2015, the victim fell through a gap in the railing.

“There are still improvements and changes to be made, but we can see the difference today. What we need is for residents to change their attitude,” she added.

FoKD chairman Jeffrey Phang said this year, the organisation would concentrate on awareness campaigns to create a paradigm shift among residents.

He said they would look into having courses on attitudes for the residents, especially since the development of PPR Kota Damansara had led to the possibility of it being a model for other PPRs in Selangor.