MPSJ gets MCMC to help in war against illegal advertisements

By THO XIN YI

THOSE who put up illegal advertisements in areas under the jurisdiction of the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) will find their advertised telephone lines barred.

MPSJ president Datuk Adnan Md Ikshan said at the full board meeting yesterday that the council was working with the Malaysian Communica-tions and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to curb the problem of illegal banners, buntings and stickers offering an assortment of services.

“The MCMC has agreed to co-operate with us on this. We will collect the telephone numbers and submit them to the MCMC, which will then bar the telephone numbers,” he said.

Adnan said the council enforcement personnel would also spray paint on the stickers to cover the numbers.

“This is to let the culprits know that they cannot do such unlawful things in areas under the MPSJ,” he said.

Adnan said those caught red-handed while putting up such advertisements would be fined RM1,000 for vandalism.

He said the MPSJ welcomed ideas and suggestions on redevelopment in certain areas under its jurisdiction, similar to what was being done in Petaling Jaya and Klang under the stimulus package announced by the Selangor government.

“We have received a proposal from a company on redeveloping Kampung Baru Seri Kembangan.

“But it is up to the residents to decide whether they really want it, particularly those staying in old areas that are disorganised and equipped with only poor road and drainage systems,” Adnan said.

“The residents can form a committee and forward their views to us. This is not an overnight job and a long time is needed to study the plans thoroughly,” he said.

The MPSJ is also setting up a wireless broadband access network in the certain zones in the municipality.

“The contractor appointed by the state government will be conducting site surveys to identify the best spots to install the equipment,” Adnan said.

He said the MPSJ also welcomed developers interested in reviving abandoned projects to contact it to discuss their proposals.

Meanwhile, residents will be able to air their grouses and complaints to Selangor local government, research and studies committee chairman Ronnie Liu during a meet-the-people session on May 10 at the Puchong Indah community hall.

FREE WI-FI in TMPCC

I am very happy to announce to all residents in Taman Mutiara Puchong that the community centre (TMPCC) is equipped with FREE WI-FI. This is made possible by the RA with the immediate priority of providing necessary internet access to children in the community without broadband access as well as to promote the use of internet in the community for education and information gathering for personal development.

The use of the said FREE WI-FI is subject to the following rules and regulations:
1. FREE WI-FI access only available within TMPCC coverage area
2. FREE WI-FI access is available only to residents whom are prompt service fee payee (please provide the said receipt of service fee paid as verification-original copy)
3. FREE WI-FI webkey access available from management personnel on duty after proper verification.
4. Parental permission is compulsory and necessary if it involves children seeking for the said FREE WI-FI access.
5. FREE WI-FI access only available during office hours of the management currently as stipulated Mon-Fri (9.00 AM - 5.00 PM) and Sat (9.00 AM - 1.00 PM). Any change in the availability day and time will be communicated accordingly as and when necessary.
6. FREE WI-FI service is subject to the best effort of the service provider in this case to be by TMNET. The RA is not responsible in any way whatsoever to guarantee service quality and availability if and when such a service is not available during the said specified time.

With the said availability of broadband access in TMPCC, the RA had also set up a resident complaint email channel direct to the management office residentcare.tmp@gmail.com

All complaints are to be forwarded specifically to this said email address and in the email please clearly state the following information for verification and authentication of the said complaint:

1. Full Name

2. Address in TMP

3. Contact Number (Home or Handphone)

4. Title of complaint

5. Contents of complaint with clear description. If the complaints involves a situation where picture or image proof is required kindly please provide them and attached to email to facilitate investigations or legitimacy of the said complaint.

The Truth About The Gated and Guarded Housing Development In Taman Mutiara Puchong.......

Today I decided to go for my haircut and usually whenever I do I make sure that I have a copy of the Star or the Straits Times, but today it was the Star. The usual routine while my hair stylist does her thing is for me to be absolutely engross in reading all of the news in the paper.
Not many articles in there were of particular interest except for 2 articles in PAGE SBW 24 & 25 (Land and Property-Starbiz Week 18th April'09).

Article 1: What makes a landed, gated and guarded project?

Article 2: Security still a concern in landed, gated and guarded projects
Stories
by THEAN LEE CHENG

I have always wanted to post something about the G & G concept especially concerning such a "concept" promised and promoted by Malton for Taman Mutiara Puchong housing enclave.

Not many residents truly understands the definition of such a concept or terminology and the pitfalls of some of these "concept" by developers, especially those who seek to "enhance" their marketing strategy in promoting such a development to the masse of potential house buyers in Malaysia. It is a known fact that due to the alarming rise in crime rate YOY (year-on-year) with the police citing lack of man power amongst many reasons including the escalation of foreign work force and etc for the cause of the increase, it is no wonder the G & G concept of housing is in great demand and is evident more today in most residential development projects.

What I would like to share is that when I first bought a house in Taman Mutiara Puchong, I made the most common mistake of actually believing everything I heard from the marketing or sales people that were in the showroom and on top of that I was guilty of the cardinal sin of not checking thoroughly the specifics of the housing development by actually poking around more e.g. (land title, building plans, read the DMC properly).

I was guilty of actually equating Malton's reputation with their previous developments in various parts of Klang Valley with the development I was buying into and taking things for granted that if they could build other places well it will most likely be the same in Taman Mutiara Puchong and the last thing they intend to do is to hoodwink the buyers.

I was one of the hoodwinked individuals of many but since then I have learnt and is the reason to share. I am not implying it is entirely Malton's fault for trying to make their property or the said housing development have more appeal, and more attractive to home buyers looking for housing projects offering a G & G concept but some research is necessary to avoid any complications, would be my first and most important advice.

Not many residents in Taman Mutiara Puchong knows about the "actual" facts in regards to the G & G "concept", these facts are known by only a handful of resident owners whom have been active as members of the residents association since late 2006 - early 2007.

After you have read both the articles you will conclude that TMP is not a truly gazetted G & G because of the following facts:
1. It is not a strata land title but instead individual land title for home owners.
2. Original building plans was without perimeter fencing, perimeter fencing was only erected after additional building application submitted and approved by MPSJ. This is also the reason for the initial design of the perimeter wall without the said bard-wire at the top to prevent intruders.
3. Point No.1 and No.2 is why Taman Mutiara Puchong is without a club house and swimming pool.
4. No Joint Management Committee is necessary as TMP is not a stratafied land development category (not under COB) hence note the exception in the DMC where it specifically stipulates that the vendor of the land (Malton/Interpile Sdn Bhd) has the right to appoint or relinquish management of the property to the Residents Association or any licensed property management company appointed by the Residents Association if it decided to do so.
5. Specific mention in the DMC for vendor or appointed vendor to collect service fees (including maintenance) of a specific sum and change in the said sum from time to time at the sole discretion of the RA by way of tabling new amount to be voted in the respective AGM by a majority of home owners present as and when it is necessary.
6. Specific mention to the management of the said property in regards to defaulters and the specific rights of the property management company/vendor to take the necessary steps to ensure stable and sufficient collection from property owners.

In TMP's case the DMC is the rule of law together with the house rules. Due to this unique setup the RA has the authority to also pass any by-laws if it is needed and to be voted accordingly in the EGM or AGM by members of the RA which consists of residents themselves (as resident property owners with vested interest in the community and representing the community it is important to note that this set up have the advantage of achieving very specific objectives for the betterment of all in the community - especially when dealing with the developers or the local council or any other external parties).

The only reason why the RA in TMP is in charge of the management is because of the following facts:
1. Last minute notification to the RA that Interpile Sdn Bhd will relinquishe the responsibility of providing management services in Taman Mutiara Puchong. RA previously responded to Interpile to continue with the management @ RM 80.00 service fee per month as Interpile have confidently issued notice to all households of the said fee being RM 80.00 from the original amount of RM 50.00. (At the time only 397 units of houses were sold with less actually occupied.
2. RA of TMP with just less than 20 members at the time had no choice but to sacfrifice time and pooling resources to organise the very first AGM 2008. Members all contributed by sponsoring in cash and in kind to get the said AGM organised all out of their own pockets.
3. RA of TMP carefully calculated and projected a service fee amount of RM 100.00 in response to be better prepared and managed accordingly with the said amount not to increase over the next 5 - 8 years. Calculation of the amount factored in the number of units not sold (more than 100 units in 2008, including bumiputera lots) out of the total 504 units. This is necessary to potray a more accurate projection of monthly service fee collection.
4. Within 2 weeks the RA of TMP had to invite property management vendors (more than 6 quotations evaluated) and selected base on price and reputation of service provider.
5. Subsequently after take over from Interpile Sdn Bhd officially the RA of TMP pursued many objectives and implemented and enhanced the community and over the course of 12 months much improvements were made as chronicled in this blog.

Although much have been done, it is far from over as much more remains especially the main tiresome and repetitive issue of "HANDOVER". Currently you will be able to notice the drainage in TMP being attended to with sacks of sand being pumped out of the main sumps all over. This is part of the requirement by MPSJ for Interpile to address after the RA submitted a host of issues officially through the appropriate channel.

This process is painstakingly slow as is evident and is the only cause of delaying the intended construction of the second entry lane into TMP. Previously this was the cause of the delay and the response of MPSJ not being able to erect the road humps requested by the RA, but since then (more than 1 year waiting) the RA of TMP decided to move ahead and fund the said contruction of the road humps anyway as the dangers of the speeding vehicles and the main concern for the safety of the children in TMP far outweighs any legal implications.

I can go on and on about what has been done and what else is needed or pending but my main objective here is to share and for all residents to be informed that the RA is doing what is needed and need the full support of all the residents to ensure more solidarity and sustainability. A special message goes out to all the defaulters to wake up and be a team player in this community. Your property lies in the boundary of TMP community hence with more funding more can be done to enhance and improve facilities and environment. In the end the value of the said property will benefit and hence the owners will benefit. This is the foresight that all of us stakeholders must have to ensure that we are above average but yet affordable.

Managing Defaulters - CARROT or the STICK?

My last couple of posts in this blog has been to promote safety and security awareness within Taman Mutiara Puchong and of course not forgetting all the other readers where ever they may reside at as safety and security should always be on top of everyone agenda in day to day life.

In times of economic uncertainty, crime rate will increase and as such we have to be more vigilant and responsible in ensuring that all necessary precautions have been taken to prevent such activities from taking place and especially to us. Prevention is the CURE and not the usual saying of "Prevention is better than a cure".

With the above reiteration of some of my previous posts main points, I am inclined to use this blog space to address the issue of "DEFAULTERS" of service fee payments in Taman Mutiara Puchong, with the intention of drawing upon the support and feedback of all the socially responsible residents whom are paying. Mind you majority of residents in TMP are responsibly paying the monthly service fee but it is unavoidable that we still have a handful of people that pays late, which is of course the norm and also a small group that thinks they are above the law and wants to go the full distance with the authority in what ever issues.

The latter is the group of people I am most concerned about as their current action or inaction in fulfilling their moral obligation and responsibility of owning a property in TMP is something all of us paying owners in TMP must come together and address.

Below are the current implementations of action to be taken against defaulters in TMP:
1. Issue reminders if payment not received after billing due every 14th of the month
2. If payment not received after 3 months ACCESS CARD BARRING will be exrcised accordingly. (Access card barring exercise will be done once every 2 months effective after the 15th April 2009 barring exercise).
3. If payment not received after 6 months LEGAL NOTICE will be served accordingly to the said unit owners.
4. Telephone reminders were made during the above said time frame to all defaulters.
5. SMS REMINDERS have also been implemented recently as this is a more personal approach as well as cost saving, efficient and more environmentally friendly as oppose to printing notices and sending to every household plus banners.

After much discussion amongst committee members in the Residents Association, the following suggestions have been voiced out to ensure that proper measures are taken to further educate the defaulters first and upon such measures failing only stronger methods will be enforced to maintain fairness with firmness to ensure equality for all unit owners (majority).
A) Final appeal letter from the RA to settle the amount in arrears and to meet the unit owner to discuss and settle the issue amicably if need to out of goodwill as fellow residents.
B) Hiring of legal counsel to further demand payments by issuing DEMAND LETTER and to take waht ever legal action accorded by law to take against such defaulters
C) Barring entry of visitors of the said defaulters by not allowing their vehicles entry. They can enter only after registering at the guard house but their vehicles are not allowed in. All privileges accorded to a gated and guarded community resident will be taken away.
D) Guards will not patrol houses without security tags but special attention will only be given to houses with SECURITY TAG.
E) The soon to be setup BUSINESS COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD will only allow participation from prompt pay master of the monthly service fee to advertise businesses within the community for the community.
The above are just some of the suggestions put forth and the RA are still looking into more alternatives to bring to task a certain number of defaulters not acting in the best interest of the entire community.
It is every unit owners obligation to contribute the said monthly service fees from the date of "VACANT POSSESSION" irregardless of whether it is rented out or empty. There are no excuses that will justify not paying as from the very beginning it is a known fact by any home buyers that a gated and guarded housing development will have monthly committment fees payable i.e. condominiums and other gated and guarded housing developments. It is even stated in the Deed Of Mutual Covenants plus House Rules guidebook given to each and every home owners.
At the end of the day after all that is said and done, the RA of TMP just wants to ensure equality, fairness and rule of law, for without TMP will one day become one of the many casualties of a gated and guarded community that will be overun with crime and disorder which is not in the best interest of good law abiding citizens of Malaysia.
PLEASE FORWARD ALL YOUR COMMENTS IN THIS BLOG TO FURTHER EXPLORE OTHER ALTERNATIVES AND IDEAS WHICH CAN BE PUT INTO ACTION TO FURTHER SAFEGUARD THE QUALITY AND LIVING STANDARDS IN TMP.

ONE VOICE ONCE COMMUNITY FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY

Bukit Aman's Malaysia Control Centre (MCC)

Key in these hotline numbers (03-22627555/03-22626555) into your mobile phone.

They may save your life. ( Think of Mat Rempit )

Those are the numbers for Bukit Aman's Malaysia Control Centre (MCC), the call centre for all police emergencies.
The police are urging Malaysians to have these numbers in their mobile phone.
Bukit Aman Public Relations Superintendent, Mohamad Daud said motorists may help prevent cases like the recent murder of assistant computer engineer Mohamad Nazri Ismail.

He added that even after the crime has occurred, the police could go to the crime scene in the shortest possible time and it may result in the capture of those responsible.

An MCC spokesman said the public from any parts of Malaysia can call the centre to report an emergency anytime. "We will direct the call to the nearest police station for the officers there to handle the matter," said the spokesman