THE Selangor MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau is urging the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to replace the water tank steel brackets at the Kota Damansara low-cost flats (PPRT) immediately to avert any mishaps.

Its chief Datuk Theng Book said MBPJ collected the rental for the four blocks of 18-storey flats and must ensure the residents’ safety by maintaining the facilities and repairing any defects.

“Now is not the time for playing the blame-game. Take action and rectify the dangerous situation,” he said.

Theng was responding following a report in StarMetro yesterday about metal thieves ripping off the steel brackets atop the flats in Section 8, Kota Damansara.

The Hot Dip Galvanising (HDG) brackets are used to fasten the 45,000-gallon tanks sitting atop the flats.

A total of 250 steel brackets have been removed, causing cracks on the fibreglass tank and water is spraying out due to pressure. Residents are worried about the stability of these water tanks atop their flats.

Theng said one of the main reasons metal thieves had targeted the PPRT flats was due to the absence of security guards.

“The fact that units on the topmost floors have been left unoccupied is another reason why the thieves are so bold.

“MBPJ must rent out the three-room flats. There are many living in squalid conditions in the city and will appreciate a decent home. The occupants can help alert the authorities if they spot the thieves. Also, this will bring in revenue for MBPJ,” he said.

“I am told there are more than 150 units available for rent.

“If the council is unable to find tenants, then Selangor MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau is prepared to help find them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kota Damansara MCA division secretary Raymond Low said the council should organise an anti-metal theft campaign which would create awareness and encourage residents at the Kota Damansara low-cost flats to report thefts that were now prevalent.

“The council cannot allow this to go on.

“The people’s money is being used to replace the brackets and repair damaged water tanks. This is a sheer waste,” he said.

“Set up a dedicated task force where its enforcement officers and the police can work together to curb this menace,” he said.

Low said the MCA division would lend a hand if the taskforce was formed.

PPRT Kota Damansara Section 8 was built in March 2004 and has 288 units in each block, totalling 1,152 units in four blocks. Only 991 units are occupied and MBPJ charges residents RM124 a month.

-The Star-