Girl’s death result of management neglect, say flat dwellers

Christopher Rabin Christopher Rabin Updated 7 years ago · Published on 17 Sep 2018 3:05PM · 5 Comments

A children's bicycle hanging off a rusty balcony at the Kota Damansara People's Housing Project flats. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, September 17, 2018.

MOUNDS of rubbish strewn around filthy corridors reeking with the stench of cat urine is a common sight for residents at the low-cost People’s Housing Project flats in Kota Damansara.

Last week, their dilapidated living conditions took a fatal turn when a 4-year-old girl died after falling off from a balcony near her 17th-floor flat.

The girl’s neighbour Krishnan Kupusamy said the incident was tragic, but not surprising as residents had in the past requested that the building’s management increase the height of the balcony railings.

“We have to lock our balcony doors whenever we leave the house, especially for my children’s safety,” said the 45-year-old, adding that he had also complained about rusty and loose balcony railings but action had yet to be taken on any of the issues.

“When our utility payments are late, the management stops water or electricity, but when we complain, they take their time to fix the issue,” he said.

In 2015, a young boy fell from the sixth floor of the same flats, prompting the management to change all corridor railings.

“They have fixed the outside (corridor) railings when there was an earlier case of a child falling, but we are still waiting for them to change the inside (balcony) railings,” said Vijaya Letchumy, who lives one floor above the victim.

The Kota Damansara People's Housing Project flats where a 4-year-old girl fell to her death recently. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, September 17, 2018.

“Management should be responsible for changing the balcony railings. This is something they should fix immediately,” said the 51-year-old factory operator.

Another resident, who preferred remain anonymous, said management was aware of the balcony railing’s hazards.

“When something happens to our children, discussions are held with management on next course of action, but nothing has happened (this time),” said the housewife.

Another of the victim’s neighbours, Mohammad Fazizi, said he had taken matters into his own hands by cementing his balcony railings himself.

“I have not heard any plans by management to change the balcony railings, so I went ahead and did it myself,” said the 35-year-old.

Residents say their complaints to management frequently fall on deaf ears. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, September 17, 2018.

“For adults, the height (of the balcony) is okay, but what we fear is, say a child were standing on a chair, it would be dangerous, and that’s exactly what happened,” he said, referring to reports that the young girl had climbed up on a chair to look over her balcony when she slipped and fell to her death.

The Malaysian Insight has contacted the building’s management, Perumahan Dan Hartanah Selangor Sdn Bhd, and are awaiting their response to the residents’ claims that their complaints have fallen on deaf ears.

The Kota Damansara flats was built in 2000 and comprises four 18-storey blocks. – September 17, 2018.

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Comments

  • My goodness the building is only 18 years old and already in such a bad state. Shoddy maintenance definitely.

    Posted 7 years ago by Malaysia New hope · Reply

  • Why blame others when the residents themselves dirtied the whole place by throwing out rubbish everywhere. Must be Hadi Bodoh followers, maybe

    Posted 7 years ago by Jackal Way · Reply

  • SAFETY STANDARD RAILINGS UPGRADE SUBSIDY BY PAKATAN GOVT + LAW SOP?

    Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

    • Above, plus a APT LIVING education programme to promote decent living conditions + exercise facilities, etc?..

      Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

    • Low-maintenance Animals like cats, dogs, birds can help reduce the stress encountered when living in apts, but residents must be educated on their proper care & hygiene..

      Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply