LEFT BEHIND IN SUBANG JAYA’S FAST PACED DEVELOPMENT – SS19/7 FLATS

LOW-COST FLATS IN SS19/7 TURNING INTO A SLUM AS ISSUES RAISED REMAIN UNRESOLVED

THE flats in SS19/7 are one of Subang Jaya’s oldest low-cost housing projects. After 30 years since its development, the blocks of flats which house almost 300 units are now in a state of disrepair and are becoming a slum in the midst of the commercial and residential properties around it. The absence of a joint management body to take charge of affairs has made it worse for residents who are crying for better attention to their neighbourhood. 

AHMED Ismail is a resident at the SS19/7 low-cost flats. He has been occupying a corner ground floor unit with his wife for the last 10 years.

Every morning, when he opens his front door, he is greeted by the ugly sight of rubbish and the stench from the pile that has stacked up overnight. Outsiders conveniently drive to the designated spot to dump their rubbish and also bulky waste, compounding the issue at hand. Ahmed has personally caught many outsiders coming to the spot to dump their rubbish.

Rubbish dumping is just a drop of water in the ocean for Ahmed. His neighbourhood is riddled with many issues and problems. As a member of the MBSJ’s Majlis Perwakilan Penduduk (Residents Committee) Zon 1, he has raised the issue numerous times in meetings. He waits and ponders when the woes of the residents will be addressed and it is almost driving him up the wall.

Now here’s the dilemma. The SS19/7 low-cost flats like many of its kind does not have a Joint Management Body. Many of the owners as such, default on their monthly RM30 maintenance fees. The arrears have piled up and no one appears to be willing to pay, especially owners who have conveniently moved out and tenanted their units to locals as well as foreigners. Presently, the general maintenance is monitored by the Commissioner of Buildings which has appointed a contractor to see to things.

For Ahmed, 73 the whole neighbourhood is turning into a slum.

“The dumpsters for domestic waste are constantly damaged. As a result, rubbish is strewn all over the place and on the road. People from outside drive up to the dumpsters to throw their rubbish which also includes bulky waste.”

“MBSJ used to have a CCTV camera pointed at the dumpsters but this also is spoilt and left unrepaired,” he said.

Another resident who wanted to be known only as Durai said the stench from the dumpster could be detected from his kitchen which faces the area across the road.

“I sometimes spend my own money to get workers to clean and wash up the area to minimise the stench. Where are the authorities? What are they doing?” he asked.

Ahmed who worked as a project manager for the construction of a new block at a private hospital and has also extensive experience in the construction industry with a government linked company before he retired said residents are also worried with the structural cracks at several blocks.

“Cracks are appearing and we can see the iron rods inside the pillars. Are the flats safe? We need a professional evaluation of this situation. Many of us are having sleepless nights worrying about it.”

“I know there’s a problem in collecting the maintenance fees from every unit owner. In fact, RM30 a month is too low. But is it fair that those of us who pay our monthly dues suffer in silence?” he said.

Numerous issues were also raised during the walk around every block of the SS19/7 flats.

Ahmed pointed out the abandoned motorcycles that lined and blocked the five-foot ways; several abandoned motorcycles now occupy part of the playground with bulky waste stacked on top; the neighbourhood recycling spot has turned into a dumping area; walkways around the blocks are cracked and broken making walkability and safe passage a challenge and risk; one resident has even encroached into the playground to store their belongings and the list goes on.

Trees around and within the blocks are also in need of trimming. Ahmed pointed out a tree which is sitting at the edge of the block which is leaning and in danger of toppling.

“The whole neighbourhood is turning into a dump because of neglect. We have rodent problems and dengue is always something that looms over our heads.”

“We need help. We need MBSJ to help us address the issues. I have raised the issues so many times until even I want to give up.”

“Please help us. This is our home,” Ahmed said.