By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, June 12 — The Selangor government is urging the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) to amend the Strata Management Act 2013 to ensure more efficient management of strata properties.
State executive councillor for housing and culture Borhan Aman Shah said amendments must be made to improve the welfare of joint management body (JMB) and management corporation (MC) members, enabling them to effectively perform their duties.
“This review is essential to ensure existing laws and regulations remain relevant and effective in addressing new challenges.
“The protection and welfare of JMB and MC members must be given attention so they can perform their duties more effectively and without undue pressure,” Borhan said at the Selangor Strata Residential Building Management Enhancement Seminar at Midlands Convention Centre here today.
Borhan said these bodies face complex challenges in managing strata titles and buildings, often extending their responsibilities to address social issues within their compounds, like vandalism and safety.
This is despite JMB and MC members working on a voluntary basis, he said.
To address these issues, Borhan said the state government is proposing several improvements to the KPKT, including more grants and funds for JMBs and MCs to support community events, maintenance and major repairs on their properties.
[caption id="attachment_360181" align="alignright" width="300"]
State executive councillor for housing and culture Borhan Aman Shah speaks at the Selangor Strata Residential Building Management Enhancement Seminar at Midlands Convention Centre, Shah Alam, on June 12, 2024. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
“I would like to take this opportunity to propose a few suggestions to the KPKT. First, we suggest the ministry introduce more training and capacity-building initiatives for JMB and MC members, as well as building management agents.
“This includes regular training programmes and workshops to help them better understand their responsibilities and more effectively manage apartment finances and maintenance.
“Second, we propose more funds or grants be provided to JMBs and MCs to help them with maintenance and repairs. These funds can be used to repair basic facilities such as lifts, drainage systems and other infrastructure that require immediate repairs,” he said.
He also suggested personal accident insurance packages to be included for JMB and MC members under the amended law to motivate them to carry out their duties.
Meanwhile, Borhan said the Selangor administration is working with financial institutions and state and federal agencies to ensure people do not abuse affordable housing schemes and public housing units for investment.
“We don’t deny that such instances happen, where people profit from renting out these properties.
“But we constantly monitor the issue and work with financial institutions to check whether these applicants have any other loans, including with government bodies,” he said.
His comment came in light of a report suggesting some tenants have abused public housing programmes in Selangor by illegally subletting their units.
Previously, Borhan said the holders of only six out of the 8,420 public housing units in the state were found to have breached their tenancy agreements.
