By Nizam Zain
KUALA LUMPUR – Failing to obey the instructions of the Federal Territories Minister, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim was among the cause of lateness in the repair works on four Taman Melati apartment blocks in Setapak that were destroyed in a storm two weeks ago.
Excuses such as the Chinese New Year holidays were among the justifications given by an officer of a foundation entrusted to solve the problem faced by 16 families since they were promised on 24 January.
The flood victims may only be experiencing water pooling in their home once. On the contrary, the storm and strong wind victims had to constantly face that problem as they have lost their roof.
The Residence Chairman of Taman Melati 4A, Mohd Azhar Md Rosdy said, the Minister of Federal Territories himself had given his guarantee to the residents to immediately install the new roof.
“On the night of the incident, the Minister of Federal Territories told us to consider it done. We thought that it meant that it would be done immediately. There was another week to Chinese New Year. Cover what they should, if it rained, more things would be destroyed.
“Until now, as what we can see, this is all that was done. 14 days after the roof of the apartment was blown off by the storm, they only put up the canvas. I was told that the new roof will only arrive next week.
“Why is this so late? If it’s flood, they only suffer it once. This is not just once but their house has been flooded several times. Where is the Yang Berhormat? The Minister who should be here to help us?” he said when met by MalaysiaGazette when met at Taman Melati, Setapak yesterday.
Mohd Azhar was curious that the order given by the Minister of Federal Territories was merely half-hearted as only the canvas was installed and it could not stop the rain from entering their residences.
“I don’t know why they gave us the excuse of Chinese New Year. As an authority, this should not be a problem. The Minister can give order to do it as soon as possible.
“The storm happened on Monday, by Thursday, the roof should have already been installed. Why wait until today due to Chinese New Year? This is a disaster, not a roof upgrading work.
“Unfortunately, there was no instruction to speed up expedite the repair works. The Minister of Federal Territories gave an immediate order but see how the immediate order was carried out,” he added. -MalaysiaGazette
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