Bukit Gedung flat residents protest over increased maintenance fees

GEORGE TOWN: Some 100 residents from Bukit Gedung flats in Bayan Lepas, here, held a protest at Komtar today over an increase in their maintenance fees.

The demonstration at 2.30pm was led by Bukit Gedung Residents Association chairman Mohd Farouk Hassan Ali.

He said residents had first voiced out their objections over a 241 per cent increase involving the maintenance fees at the beginning of this year.

The fees were increased in Jan from RM16 previously to RM55 by Penang Development Corporation, the flats owner.

He said despite several discussions between the residents and various parties, the matter remains unresolved.

Farouk said resident had also written to Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin, who said the maintenance fees had increased in tandem with the cost of living increase.

“We are willing to pay the maintenance fees but not at a 200 per cent increase, maybe at a 100 per cent increase or RM32,” he said.

He said their objections mainly stemmed from the fact that the increased amount did not commensurate to the services provided.

“The flats are in a very bad condition with clogged drains, cracked wall, and is also dirty and filthy.

“We are not willing to pay so much when the flats is in such a bad condition,” he said.

He also said the 5,000 residents staying at the 1,000 flat units were mostly from the Bottom 40 group and as such could not afford to pay the increased maintenance fee.

Bukit Gedung Fkats Residence, Saleha Hassan, 60. NSTP/Mikail Ong
Bukit Gedung Fkats Residence, Saleha Hassan, 60. NSTP/Mikail Ong

Farouk said they had prepared a memorandum, listing their grievances, which he said would only be handed over to a state executive councilor.

“We are not willing to pass the memorandum to anyone other than the state executive councillor.

“We will wait here not matter how long it takes time for them to come meet us,” he said.

Resident, Saleha Hassan, 64, who had been living in the flats for the past 33 years, said she could not afford the increased maintenance fee on her RM500 roadside stall income.

The widow said her two children were also unable to help her as they were saddled with their own problems.

“We want them to consider our plight and reduce the maintenance fee. Do not burden us like this. We are poor,” she said.

The group chanted “Bangkit, Bangkit Rakyat” and “Takbir Allahuakhbar” while holding up placards that read “Kasihani Kami Ibu Tunggal”( Pity Us Single Mothers) and “PDC Jangan Kejam”(PDC do not be cruel”.

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