On 7/24/07, WK Lee of TMP Management wrote:
Steven & Harriet
(Note: I noticed that this mail sent earlier from my company email address has not been sent out yet. As such ,I am resending this mail )
On behalf of Mr Yeoh, I would also like to thank you in getting TMP's pro-tem RA organized as your soon-to-be-registered RA will eventually be taking over the management of TMP. Due to his extreme busyness in new projects, Mr Yeoh has also instructed me to address and reply to ongoing issues (as per your minutes) which mainly revolve around security as follows :
RA Response:
The issue of security is at the top of the list as it involves safeguarding the lives of all residents in TMP especially women and children to avoid any untoward incidents of theft, robbery and even serious crimes like rape and murder. The RA believes prevention is better than a cure as we have all learnt from the past of many such cases happening and being reported in communities not very far from ours.
1.1 Adequacy of Security Personnel
We have studied the adequacy of the number of security personnel and would like to inform you that the number ( 6 for day shift and 5 for night shift) is adequate based on the following justifications:
We are in receipt of a security analysis report by an independent security firm confirming that the present total security manpower is sufficient. We would be only too pleased to extend a copy of the report to your committee should you want it for reference purposes.
An adjacent development(which is bigger) also employs the same ratio of guards.
RA Response:
Pertaining to the word "sufficient" and to your kind reference of an example of a bigger community requiring same number of security personnel...........is it a community with exact set up like TMP "GATED" concept? Where the perimeter retaining wall comprise of a structure that can be scaled easily and lowly erected? Where entry can be gained via the lakes which are situated nearby? Or the other community you so confidently referred to is also situated near an industrial area with masses of foreign workers roaming the streets in the lower cost housing area nearby? Where lighting beyond the guardhouse outside is less than adequate?
Notwithstanding the above, we do agree with you that the services rendered by the present company are not up to the mark as evidenced by guards (especially the night guard at the high tension area) caught sleeping and their general lack of alertness. Our conclusion is therefore that the present security services provided are adequate in terms of quantity but inadequate in terms of quality.
As you are aware, we have voiced the residents' concerns as well as our own observations about their ineptitude and have had many meetings with the security firm representatives which resulted in them doing away with female guards and old/unfit looking guards but we do concur with you that the level of service still falls short of reasonable expectations. We also concur with you that it is time for 'the changing of the guards' now. As this is the second security company that we have engaged for TMP, we have contacted some security companies and have taken some time ( thanks for your patience and forbearance) to evaluate and analyse proposals before we introduced the shortlisted company to you whose representatives your pro-tem committee members have the opportunity to interview in our previous meeting. Coincidentally, Rajis, their security consultant is known to Jenny who said that he has serviced the Goodyear Court 10 ( where she was a former resident) residents well.
After some negotiation , the proposed new company has agreed to match the existing rates and have also agreed to the following improved security measures at no extra costs:
They will arrange for regular police patrol with police signing on a record book as evidence of each visit.
The firm proposes to rent a house in TMP or its vicinity to accommodate their guards . This will boost security in the form of availability of standby guards at any point in time. During times when security needs to be boosted temporarily, this move will be very helpful.
For your information, we have issued a termination notice to the existing security firm whose last day of service is 17 August 2007 which will also be the commencement date of service for the new security company. We will continue to monitor the performance of the existing firm in the meantime.
We would like to schedule a meeting between the new security company (Aman Security Network) and representatives of the pro-tem RA immediately to discuss about new SOPs as we value your input and participation. I will contact Steven to fix the date and time.
RA Response:
Your explanation above though may seem to be an appropriate response to our concerns in plain english, it does however raises even more concerns what kind of vetting procedures you have in place especially an organization like the size and "history" in the housing developer industry. There is a saying; "if you pay peanuts, you will get monkeys" and honestly some of the security personnel do come very close to fitting the description.
The RA immediate concerns is the "period" between now and when the new security outfit takes over from the current one.
The RA have received many numerous feedback stating the increased relaxation of screening by the current security personnel due to the fact that they are all aware that their days are numbered. The RA strongly urges your management team to have some form of monitoring in place immediately within the current security personnel until the new team takes over on the 17th August 2007.
The RA do not want to see any compromise at all pertaining this matter, as the RA do not want to utter the words; "I told you so" in the event during this period of low morale and lack of motivation within the current security team's attitude, some untoward event was to take place.
Retaining Wall
We wish to highlight to you that the retaining wall is built according to approved building plans . Meanwhile we will continue to monitor any trespassing at the high tension area and constantly remind the security guards posted there to be very alert and vigilant.
Completion of perimeter at Phase 3 may be slightly delayed due to backfilling of land. We have posted a guard there and so far the security situation is under control.
RA Response:
The RA would like a confirmed deadline for the completion of the said perimeter wall for Phase 3 as previously you did promise the said wall will be erected by the end of July 2007. This is very important for all residents in TMP and not just the minority that have shifted into their new homes in Phase 3A base on all the promises stated in the same brochures by your marketing personnel.
Availability of Security Personnel During Emergency
Emergency contact numbers have been furnished to the residents. Obviously, new numbers will be furnished when the new security company takes over next month. In the meantime, we have also applied for a fixed telephone line for the guardhouse to enhance emergency contacts.
RA Response:
Honestly the part of the emergency numbers being furnished to all residents, I strongly recommend you reiterate the methods/channel of communication you had exercised for all residents to have supposedly been informed of the said emergency numbers. The RA will appreciate all matters pertaining the welfare of the residents be made known in a very transparent manner at all time, every time.
The RA will also like to suggest 2 signboards clearly indicating the contact numbers of the security company's emergency numbers including the police station number nearest to TMP as depicted in the photo of a similar signage in other gated community, to be placed just outside the entrance and one more inside the entrance. (Please refer to picture in the post titled "Sample of Security Signage with Contact Numbers")
Main Entrance Security Barrier – Shade
We are still looking into a way of erecting a shade for the proximity card without jeopardizing our chances of obtaining CFs for the remaining Phase 3 houses as the construction of the guardhouse did not adhere to MBSJ rulings as we were generous in giving a much bigger guardhouse. Any alteration may catch the attention of the authorities and the last thing that we want them to do is to order the guardhouse to be demolished because we have further altered it by erecting a shade.
RA Response:
The RA believe the above explanation is suitable for pubescent individual, primarily because your response do not offer any concrete committment in resolving one of the many pertinent issues put forth to date.
Justification for our argument is purely base on logic as the construction of the "generous guardhouse" so nicely put is merely eye candy to the RA and do not reflect the standards in the planning of the said entrance to TMP by your management (Malton) to facilitate efficient management of traffic flow into and out of TMP including a set-up that will provide a better working environment for the security personnel to carry out their duties to their upmost potential.
The saying goes "seeing is believing" and what the RA is not seeing concerning the guardhouse inadequacy is truly "Unbelievable".........i.e. no visitor parking space at entry point to facilitate visitors to obtain valid passes and collection of their identification without obstructing entry of other vehicles that do have valid entry via proximity access cards. How can your management expect the security personnel to carry out their duties and maintaining a reasonable standards when all cars have to queue without proper segregation between residents and visitors including contractors,electrician,delivery personnel and friends and relatives of residents.
Defect Liability Period
As we have attended (and are still attending) to defects from the beginning, there will be no extension of defect liability.
RA Response:
The RA would like to encourage all defect to be reported immediately by respective residents to ensure that every defect is noted by the maintenance office and hence legally residents rights protected even after the defect liability period.
Common Notice Board for the Community
As a gift to the RA, the company has approved the installation of a notice board at the gazebo. It will be weather resistant (not weatherproof as minuted).
RA Response:
The RA would like to extend our sincere gratitude pertaining the above generosity by your management, however the RA would like to request that the said notice board be delivered soonest possible as the RA have many posting to highlight to the residents in TMP especially to those that have no access to a broadband connection to view the community blog.
Mosquito Menace
Due to the recent spate of rains , the fogging contractor was not able to carry out his duties. In fact, since our meeting on 14 July, they have come 4 times but were hampered by the rain. We have arranged for them to come this Thursday and hopefully they will be able to fog this time !
TQ&Rgds,
Wk lee
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