UPGRADING WORKS ARE STILL AT A STANDSTILL!

The application for the 1Malaysia Maintenance Fund under the Federal Territories and Urban Welllbeing Ministry.was submitted in January 2011.

In the month of March 2011, the RA of Block 14 received the approval from the Ministry.  The estimated cost at this stage was RM150,000.00 where the use of stainless steel pipes was suggested.  The RA of Block 14 immediately applied for sponsorships because it did not want to burden the residents any longer not even a single cent.  With the blessings and grace of God, a sponsor stepped forward with RM26,000.00.  The RA had to collect the remaining RM4,000.00 from the residents.  It came to RM50.00 per unit (80 units).

In April 2011, the RA decided to pay the upfront of RM26,000.00 and wanted to request for more time to settle the remaining RM4,000.00.  However during the briefing session with the personnel from the Ministry in the same month, they explained the disadvantages of using stainless steel pipes, proposed ABS pipes as the better alternative.  This will also bring the price down to RM107,000.00.  The residents unamiously agreed to this option and the RA was not burdened to collect any money from the residents.  At the briefing, the RA was informed that all the works will start in two months.

Since then until the month of June 2011, a total of four site visits were made by City Hall. The tender was to close in early July 2011.  However in early July 2011, the RA was informed by the Ministry that we are to expect a delay because of the following reasons:

1)  City Hall has opted to use stainless steel pipes instead of the suggested ABS pipes

2)  The new estimated price skyrocketed to RM450,000.00.

The RA is not burdened with the additional cost as stated in the guidelines of 1Malaysia Maintenance Fund. The increased cost will be taken care by the Funds.

The Ministry, SYABAS and City Hall made another site visit on 19th July 2011 at 10.00am to sort out the discrepancies.  After much discussion, DBKL agreed to change the specifications where a combination of ABS/MS/Stainless steel pipes will be used at various parts of the piping system as identified during the site visit.  This was highlighted in the Malay Mail on 22nd July 2011 (http://mmail.com.my/content/78369-water-woes-end). Although the article reflected errors in the areas of the funding figures, the message was loud and clear:

"DO NOT DELAY THE UPGRADING WORKS ANY LONGER.  GET TO WORK AND ACT IMMEDIATELY".