Ramkarpal, Rayer, Robert, Kalaichelvan and resident George Khoo viewing an artist’s impression of the block with the exterior wall painting.

RESIDENTS of Tanjung Court Condominium in Bandar Baru Ayer Itam in Penang, are hoping some of their building maintenance woes would be resolved with the intervention of Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh and their assemblyman Yeoh Soon Hin.

They are appealing to the state government to provide funds for exterior wall painting, replacement of rooftop storage tanks, rooftop gutters and lifts as well as new piping to rooftop storage tanks under the State Housing Maintenance Maximum 80% Fund (TMP80PP).

Their spokesman S. Devendran said the 14 six-storey blocks and clubhouse were aging since they were built between 1993 and 1995.

“The exterior wall has never been painted. The rooftop gutters are giving way causing water to splash down while the storage tanks are old and there is frequent spillover,” he said after Ramkarpal and Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N. Rayer attended a dialogue session with the residents at the condominium recently.

During the dialogue, Ramkarpal received five quotations for exterior wall painting, five quotations for replacement of rooftop gutters and four quotations each for replacement of storage tanks and piping.

The quotations were handed over to him by Bandar Baru Ayer Itam Management Sdn Bhd (BBAIM) building maintenance manager P.J. Robert.

Ramkarpal said he would submit the quotations to the state government for assistance under TMP80PP.

“I hope to get a decision on the funding in about a month,” he said.

Tanjung Court Residents committee member Winnie Chua said the residents were taken aback that BBAIM did not procure quotations for lift replacements.

He said most of the 14 lifts were in bad condition with frequent breakdowns.

“It usually takes hours or several days for the repairs to be done.

“This is a safety issue. We told Robert to include lift replacements but he probably could not get the quotations in time,” she said.

Another committee member S. Kalaichelvan said the Tanjung Court funds managed by BBAIM was running low and there was insufficient funds to undertake major repairs and refurbishment.

“I am wondering how BBAIM is going to come up with the balance money for the block repainting and other projects if the subsidy is approved by the state government.

“It is time for landowner Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi to step in.

“The kongsi which is managing BBAIM together with developer Farlim Group collected one percent fee during the purchase of properties in the township about two decades ago.

“The kongsi is still collecting one percent fee during each subsale of properties. This is a lot of money.

“The kongsi and Farlim Group should assist the residents in their hour of need,” he said, adding that without the additional funds the projects would not be able to take off.

Ramkarpal and Rayer later inspected the construction of a motorcycle shed near Block 8K.

In June 2016, state Housing Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo announced that affordable housing projects in Penang with units priced up to RM150,000 were now eligible for aid from TMP80PP.

Previously, only projects with units priced up to RM72,500 were eligible to receive funds for maintenance and repair work involving lifts, water tanks, piping system and roof.

Jagdeep said the state government had revised the eligibility criteria to include units priced up to RM150,000 and expanded the scope of work to include painting and road tarring as well as fixing of corridor lights and staircase railings.

He said the aid would be given out at a ratio of 80:20 for units priced RM100,000 and below, whereby the state would cover 80% of the cost while the cost of the remaining 20% would be borne by the residents.

He said the ratio was 60:40 for units priced above RM100,000 to RM150,000 as the monthly maintenance fee paid by the residents would be higher, thus enabling them to fork out a bigger sum.