Power Failure in Taman Pekaka
I was in the midst of writing the first paragraph of a new entry for today when the power went off at 1.25 pm. Since there was nothing much I could do without electricity, I had lunch. A short while later, a neighbour called to inform me that the elevators were not working as well. I believe some residents must be trapped in them too. This is the second time that the standby generator has failed to kick in after a power failure. The first happened in April last year. Apart from the elevators not functioning, I speculate that the pump for the wet riser supplying water to all floors for fire fighting was not working as well. The power came back on at 1.48 pm.
This is the type of building manager we have here at Taman Pekaka. Essential equipments are not maintained to keep them in running condition. Illegal structures are constructed without regard to local building laws. Vehicles are allowed to be parked haphazardly and obstruct the access of fire engines. The building manager shamelessly reserved two parking lots for himself in the common property. Our complaints were repeatedly ignored. Our lives are endangered every time there is a power failure. Yet the local authorities refuse to act against them for reasons unknown. Something is rotten in the state of Penang.
Related category:
Building Manager From Hell
July 31st, 2005 at 22:56
Shame on the building manager! How could someone so irresponsible be put in charge of managing a building that is home to so many lives?? sigh.
August 1st, 2005 at 05:55
So i guess we have every right to stop paying the RM90 service charge every month huh?
And in case there is a fire, the building manager himself especially, would be trapped also ‘cos i heard he himself resides at the highest floor of the building.
August 2nd, 2005 at 00:53
Marita,
Believe me, everyday I ask the same question too.
jocelyn,
This is a sticky situation. Not paying the RM90 maintenance charge will exacerbate the situation. Perhaps the building manager have never thought about the risk and consequences. I hope he realises the danger he is putting us through everyday.
August 2nd, 2005 at 16:24
I remember during my first year at uni, we had a guy that was in a wheelchair that was placed on the 2nd floor. One day the fire alarm went off, and the elevator automatically stopped. He was stuck and had no instructions as to how he is supposed to exit the building! Poor guy. He ended up being carried out by 2 girls and his chair was left in the stairwell.
August 2nd, 2005 at 23:47
This is clearly an area where we need more research and study, and make a proposal to the authorities to act upon. I don’t know much about this area, but people and experts interested in high-rise property management should be sought. To whom does the accountability of managing high-rise property go to. What does the law say when it comes to management who do not do their job? We should be able to find some answers from our councils. As much as what they can do, and what they cannot do? At the moment, I don’t know anything! It’s frustrating!
August 3rd, 2005 at 17:20
Don’t Wait Until Its Too Late
Blogger Peter Tan’s endless woes about his condominium management’s ignorance never ends. I bet those staying in highrise building have lots to tell about ignorant managements and badly maintained amenities such as missing firehosts and leakage, two am…
August 3rd, 2005 at 22:06
Halo ! The little I know is : there is supposed to be a `Strata Title Board’ set up in Aug to address disputes between building managers/developers and high rise buyers. Look out for their contacts as soon as they are up. Anyway a bit of complaint to the media to embarass the developer, complaint to the Council (Tel.04-2624400)can all help. You can amplify your voice through the residents association too. I’d heard that from a friend who stay there that the standby generator is in `good condition’ -now you know better. Should get someone to check it ASAP -another day it may take much longer to get the electricity -and the lifts etc back on.
August 5th, 2005 at 01:11
jacky,
That is why we need a systematic evacuation plan for the mobility impaired in emergency situations.
LecturerUM,
This is a grey area. Trying to get the authorities to act will end up with with complainant being pushed back and forth from the City Council to the Land Office. This is indeed frustrating.
ong,
We are looking at the possible ways that we can take action against the useless management that we have now. These are self-serving marauders who have no sense of responsibility to the people they are serving.
October 7th, 2005 at 14:18
Peter, I understand your grief. I was earlier staying in a badly manage condo by ateam of REAL ESTATE VALUER that only know rent and bill collecting but do nothing on maintaning its facility. The resident should in fact appoint actual FACILITY MANAGER to take care of Building Occupation Safety.
If you have in thinking to adapt a cost effective safety evacuation lighting alternative, have a visit to http://www.ecoglo.com
Do not wait because we Malaysian and our policy always WAIT & C