State govt contributes RM195,000 to help upgrade three apartment lifts

MEDAN Ria Apartment residents received a piece of good news today when their application for the upgrading of three lifts was approved by the Penang government.

Datok Keramat assemblyman Jagdeep Singh Deo, who is also the state Housing, Town, Country Planning and Local Government Committee chairman, presented the letter of approval to Medan Ria Apartment management corporation chairman Ong Ee Sen and his committee members at the apartment today.

“I’m happy to announce that the application for the upgrading of three lifts costing RM244,000 has been approved,” Jagdeep told the residents.

“Under the Penang Maximum 80% Maintenance Fund (TPM80PP), the state government will pay 80% (RM195,200) while the residents (of low and low medium-cost housing) will pay 20% (RM48,800).

“This initiative was started by the Penang government in 2013 and since then, it has received a very positive response.

“In 2013, we received only eight applications while this year, we have received 96 applications. In all, we have received a total of 209 applications until today, out of which 359 projects had been approved at the cost of RM31.08 million.”

Jagdeep Singh presenting the letter of approval from the state government to Ong for their application to upgrade the Medan Ria Apartment’s three lifts. With them are some of the residents and state Housing Department officials.

Also present at the meeting were Medan Ria Apartment management corporation committee members, including adviser Choo Shing Lai and secretary Goh Hui Min, some of the residents and state Housing Department principal assistant secretary (Housing) Ainul Fadhilah Samsudi and senior assistant secretary Mohd Fauzy Mohd Yusoff.

Choo, on behalf of the residents, thanked the state government for the financial help as the electronic system for the lifts are now obsolete. He said the apartment comprised 185 units.

Jagdeep also thanked Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow for allocating RM6.8 million for the fund when announcing Budget 2019 two weeks ago.

“This is one of the highest allocations I have received, in fact double than before and it will enable me to continue my work for the people’s benefits.

“This is proof that the state government is caring and what we can save through the practice of competency, accountability and transparency (CAT) administration, we give back to the rakyat.

“The chief minister appreciates and understands the importance of this fund to help those in need of help. This project is going to continue to be very healthy.”

Jagdeep also revealed that he had met Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin in June this year to seek her help in approving several projects as well as providing funds for housing projects in Penang.

According to Jagdeep, the state Housing Department had written a letter to the Housing Ministry on Nov 23 requesting monetary aid of RM14 million for the 1Malaysia Maintenance Fund (TP1M) and RM600,000 for the maintenance of two PPR (low-cost housing) projects.

“We’ve to have a new outlook. Previously, we can’t rely on the federal government for help. Now that we’re of the same family (under Pakatan Harapan), I’m certain we can get something. We’ve limited resources. With some federal funding, we can execute more projects.”

Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian