Flats shine in the city

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Story by Chan Lilian

THE Kedah Road flats are shining again, compared to the past, after refurbishment work was completed recently.
”Since this low-cost and low medium cost flats are right in the middle of the city, it is important to maintain them,” Padang Kota assemblymember Chow Kon Yeow said after visiting the flats on Dec 6 to see the newly installed 20 units of CCTVs costing RM18,000.
Chow is also the exco member for Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation.

He was greeted by Teh Chai Hock, chairman of the Residents’ Association, and other committee members.
Teh briefed the press on the upgrading works that had taken place.

“We are thankful to YB Chow for providing the extra 20 units of CCTVs. Now we have 32 units. He had also assisted and provided our flats with three rubbish bins, three streetlights and helped in getting the flats painted in 2012,” Teh said.

Kedah Road Flats was painted in 2012 through a 80% – 20% HAPPY scheme where Penang Development Corporation (PDC), which owns the flats, bear 80% of the total cost of RM328,050 while 20% or RM65,610 was borne by the residents.
Out of the RM65,610, Chow allocated RM30,000 from his constituency allocation while the flat owners each paid RM180.25 only.

A visit to the flats revealed that the place is well-maintained with airy space planted with flowers.
Residents of various races mingle well and some spend their time chit-chatting at the eatery on the ground floor.

Chow attributed the nice environment to the residents.
“We have a dedicated team of residents here who are part of the joint management body. When the people living here have a sense of belonging, they will take better care of their living space. When we spruce up the flats with a new coat of paint and improve the security with the added CCTVs, there will be less vandalism. We are now using technology to improve our environment,” he said.

The Kedah Road Flats has 320 units with 25 shoplots belonging to PDC. Maintenance fees have been kept low at RM25-RM35 for the low-cost flats and RM55 for the three-room units.