Pudu Impian 1 dwellers fear repeat of incident that killed teen
KUALA LUMPUR: Pudu Impian 1 low-cost flats residents fear they will experience an incident similar to the one that killed a teenager at the Seri Pantai People’s Housing Project (PPR) flats in Pantai Dalam here.
Pudu Impian 1 residents’ association chairman Lai Hin Loong said falling objects were so common at the single-block 19-storey flats that at least the windscreen or roof of a car was damaged every month.
Lai, 41, who has lived at the flats for more than 10 years, said due to insufficient parking spaces, residents had to park below the flats.
“We have to pray that nothing happens to our cars and vehicles because many cars have been damaged by falling objects, such as beer bottles, batteries and household items,” he said after a visit by Cheras MCA secretary Datuk Dr Toh Kian Kok and Cheras MCA Women chief Heng Sinn Yee to the flats.
On Saturday, Lai called for a gathering to remind residents to be more civic conscious and mindful of their surroundings and environment.
During the visit, the New Straits Times spotted four cars with damaged roofs or windscreens, believed to have been caused by falling objects.
Lai said there were about 900 residents — with 20 units on each floor — at the flats, which only had one lift.
“There are three lifts, but two stopped working last year. The working lift breaks down often, at least once or twice a week. Some residents throw things to their friends on the ground floor because of this,” he said, adding that even closed-circuit television (CCTVs) cameras around the flats had been vandalised.
He said it could cost more than RM1,000 to repair the CCTVs, while the lifts needed to be replaced.
“We do not have the funds to repair the lifts or CCTVs as we just took over from the old residents’ association and are starting from scratch.”
After the visit, Toh appealed to Kuala Lumpur City Hall to look into their plight.
In November, the residents’ association applied for funds from City Hall to fix the CCTVs and replace the lifts via the Tabung Penyelenggaraan 1Malaysia, but the request was turned down.
Toh said: “Last year, the association approached City Hall with the residents’ grouses, but City Hall said it had run out of funds. It has resubmitted the application this year. Hopefully, City Hall will approve and expedite the funds for work to commence.”
Toh urged residents to be vigilant and look out for one another, especially when staying in a multistorey building.
“As neighbours, you must be responsible for your actions. Always think before you do anything, which could affect other residents,” Toh said, urging residents to be more civic conscious.