JOHOR BARU: Water supply to the Lily & Jasmine Apartment in Taman Tampoi Indah here, was temporarily reconnected following intervention from the Pulai Member of Parliament, last night.
MP Suhaizan Kayat instructed his team to meet the residents at 9.45pm, and some 15 minutes later, Ranhill-SAJ personnel temporarily reconnected the water supply.
He said some RM1.4 million in outstanding water bills are owed to SAJ.
"This is not a new issue. In 2018, the underground pipes, which suffered extensive wear and tear, broke, and this led to significant leakages.
"The issue is that the underground pipes fall under the jurisdiction of the property management, and cost almost RM2 million to repair.
He said this was the second time that the Pulai parliamentary service centre had to intervene to resolve the water issues at the Lily & Jasmine Apartment, which has 480 units and over 2,000 residents.
Suhaizan brought the matter to the attention of the District Action Committee and even discussed it in Parliament.
However, due to the classification of Lily & Jasmine Apartments as a medium-high-cost housing unit, it does not qualify for certain maintenance assistance programmes under the federal government.
He said yesterday, the intervention brought temporary relief to the residents. However, it's clear that a sustainable, and long-term solution is required.
"The current classification of the Lily & Jasmine Apartment as a medium-high-cost housing area, limits the support available to it from the federal government.
"We are exploring all avenues, including legislative, to ensure that the residents will not face these hardships," he said, when contacted today.
Last night, after discussions with the residents, its property management, and SAJ officials chaired by a Pulai parliamentary service centre officer, a temporary solution was reached.
SAJ agreed to reconnect the water supply, after a RM30,000 partial payment of the outstanding RM1.4 million dues, was paid.
Suhaizan contributed RM10,000 towards the partial payment. SAJ reconnected water supply at 10pm.
The residents will be meeting with Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi's representatives today, to discuss a long-term solution to their water supply issues.
Last night, tensions ran high in the Lily& Jasmine Apartment housing area when residents confronted the management, after they suffered a two-day water disruption, without prior notification.
A Ranhill-SAJ spokesman said following the RM30,000 partial payment, they reconnected the water supply last night.
The spokesman added, among the solutions agreed upon yesterday were for the management to adhere to a structured payment plan, which includes paying 10 per cent of the outstanding dues every month, in addition to the regular bills.