Stern actions await Penang JMBs, MCs which fail to comply with SOP

GEORGE TOWN: Stern actions will be taken against joint management bodies (JMBs) and management corporations (MCs) that fail to comply with the COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) to curb the spread of COVID-19 in stratified buildings.

State Housing, Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said that no punishment has been issued so far and a majority of the stratified buildings in Penang have adhered with the SOPs gazetted by the Ministry of Health (MOH) since April 6 this year.

He said that to date, over 1,400 high-rise buildings in Penang have conducted SOP compliance checks and recorded an SOP compliance rate of over 99 percent.

“Meanwhile, those (stratified buildings) that did not comply with the SOP have been given warnings so that they (JMBs and MCs) are aware and make necessary changes.

“I have warned both city councils that if any of these premises still did not comply with SOP, firm actions will be taken,” he told a press conference here today.

Jagdeep said that the SOP in stratified buildings should be highly addressed as the dense population within the small area served as a potential threat against COVID-19 infection.

According to him, there are 1,881 registered stratified buildings in Penang.

“Up until now, prevention is still better than cure and the only thing we, Penangites can do is to comply with the SOP. We do not want one or two individuals to jeopardise the health and security of every other Penangites,” he added.

Earlier today, Jagdeep announced that the state government has approved to bear 80 percent of the maintenance fee to replace 16 water tanks for two blocks in Mewah Court apartment here.

He said that the overall maintenance cost for the 16 water tanks is RM468,000 and the state would allocate RM374,400 from the state’s Maximum 80 per cent maintenance fund (TPM80PP).

“The replacement works are expected to take around eight weeks and the works can be proceeded after the Mewah Court’s MC have settled the 20 percent of the maintenance fee,” he added.

It is learned that the existing water tanks in the Mewah Court apartment are 30 years old.

-- BERNAMA