KUALA LUMPUR: The Joint Management Body (JMB) of Bandar Tasik Selatan 1 low-cost apartment will engage in further discussions with Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) to address the distress caused by the impending electricity supply cut notice affecting residents.
In an interview with BH today, a JMB representative revealed plans to submit an appeal to TNB, seeking a deferment of the scheduled electricity supply cut on Jan 17.
The potential cut could impact crucial services such as water supply, elevator functions, and corridor lighting.
He said the outstanding electricity bill for five blocks in the apartment complex has escalated to a whopping RM2.02 million since 2023.
In response, TNB demanded payment from the property developer to settle the arrears.
He said negotiations between TNB, the developer, and the JMB occurred before the electricity supply cut notice was issued.
TNB insisted that the developer settle at least 10 per cent (RM200,000) of the total arrears, he added.
However, he said the JMB lacks the necessary funds, leading to the issuance of the electricity supply cut notice by TNB.
"The maintenance fee, set at RM50 per residential unit for 1,440 units in five blocks, falls short of covering the required amount.
"With only RM72,000 collected if all units pay the fee, the shortfall hampers efforts to settle the arrears and address maintenance needs."
The JMB representative clarified that they face difficulties in covering monthly expenses, including staff salaries, maintenance workers, and cleaning, leaving them unable to repair the five malfunctioning elevators.
Of the 10 elevators, only one is operational in each block, and several have been non-functional for the past five years.
Repair costs, attributed to vandalism, equipment damage, and theft of spare parts, amount to tens of thousands, requiring upfront payments to elevator maintenance companies.
Despite seeking assistance from the Member of Parliament for Bandar Tun Razak and the Housing and Local Government Ministry, he said the JMB had yet to receive a response.
Allegations of misappropriation of funds by some individuals in JMB prompted a police report to be filed at the Sungai Besi Police Station.
The JMB representative clarified that the developer is not responsible for the outstanding electricity bills, putting the onus on themselves.
They acknowledged the difficulty in resolving the issue due to insufficient funds.
They plan to meet TNB on Monday to make a final appeal, recognising the potential impact on over 7,000 residents in the apartment complex, he said.
