LETTER | A recent article titled “Separation at source still lagging”, which mentioned the lack of proper recycling facilities in flats, has brought to mind a serious, longstanding problem in this country: the extremely poor conditions of low-cost flats in general in terms of cleanliness, basic facilities, safety and their tenants’ socio-economic status.

One root cause is the lack of strict enforcement against tenants who don’t responsibly pay the monthly fees. The low amount of fees collected makes the owners of such flats reluctant to consistently carry out proper maintenance and cleaning, which in turn degrades their tenants’ quality of life and socio-economic status.

The most effective solution to this problem is for the Commissioner of Buildings (COB) in each state to appoint management agents to take over from the private owners of low-cost flats that are in unsatisfactory conditions.

According to the National Housing Department, under Section 86 (1) of the Strata Management Act 2013 (Act 757), the COB has the authority to do so if the existing management of these flats has failed to properly manage them.

Once this step is taken, the collection of monthly fee payments from tenants should be strictly enforced by the respective management agent with the assistance of the COB and state authorities in each state. Non-paying tenants should be severely fined and repeat offenders should be evicted.

With such strict management and enforcement by the government authorities, consistent as well as good quality maintenance and cleaning work can be ensured for all low-cost flats in the country.

As a result, these flats will be cleaner, more comfortable and safer for their tenants, and their socio-economic status will improve significantly.

Financial assistance

For any costs of appointing management agents and for paying the private flat owners for taking over management, the bulk should be borne by state governments with financial assistance from the federal government.

Do not transfer such financial burdens onto the flat tenants, most of whom are already in the low socio-economic category.

If there are funding constraints at the federal level, then apart from efforts to eradicate corruption, the government should urge other Asean countries to collectively increase their corporate taxes, as well as impose a wealth tax.

This is the best solution to generate the required funds instead of burdening ordinary citizens, while preventing the flight of foreign investors from Malaysia to other Asean countries.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.