PBAPP: Villa Sri Melati JMB responsible for fixing leaking pipe

PETALING JAYA (Jan 25): Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang Sdn Bhd (PBAPP) has asserted that the Joint Management Body (JMB) of Villa Sri Melati — a block of flats at Rifle Range, Penang — is responsible for fixing a leak in the main underground pipe that had swelled the water bill to a whopping RM268,258.25,

In a statement today, the corporation said the leak had occurred in private property, and not on a PBAPP pipeline, therefore it is the responsibility of the JMB to repair the pipeline.

“PBAPP provided a list of contractors licensed by SPAN. They are not PBAPP contractors,” it clarified, refuting claims that the contractors who were unable to repair the leaks were from the corporation.

“[The JMB] directly negotiated with, appointed and paid the contractor of its choice.

“PBAPP is not responsible for any delays in negotiations, the process of appointing the contractor or the timely implementation of repair works,” it said.

Reiterating its offer of an amicable solution, PBAPP said it would discount half of the original outstanding amount by deducting arrears owed prior to the formation of the JMB (RM62,580.75) and half of the remaining bill (RM102,838.75).

This follows an appeal letter from the JMB dated Oct 31, 2017 to review its arrears, where the corporation had offered the discount and a five-year interest-free settlement option that would only bill each of the 92 units RM17.39 per month.

Moreover, PBAPP had also extended the deadline for residents to settle the outstanding water bill by two weeks from Jan 29 to enable the JMB to get the consent of all owners.

“It is now [the JMB’s] responsibility to get consent before the offer expires,” it said.