I was shocked and flabbergasted over media reports that the RM34 million police flats built in Seri Temenggong in Taman Sentosa, Malacca have been completely abandoned by the 382 police families living in the nine blocks of four-storey flats.

These flats were supposedly ready for occupation in 1993, but the roofs of the nine blocks have been stripped apart, the doors and floors have removed and all the 382 police families have had to flee for their lives apparently due to some termite problem.

It is unbelievable that these flats which cost a hefty RM34 million can be destroyed and devastated in such short a time. A news report states that it is going to cost another RM49.5 million just to renovate the flats again for safe occupation.

Also, to relocate all the police officers and their families to rented houses has cost another half a million ringgit. It is also stated by the Chief Minister of Malacca that the termite problem is not the only cause. Other excuses that have been given are that the flats were built on a slope and there has been very extensive damage to the drainage, water and electrical and wiring systems of the whole block of flats. The repairs are going to cost more than the original cost of the flats.

Why were the flats built on a dangerous slope in the first place? Who was responsible for approving the project?

The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) collected RM75 billion last year due to the hard work of the IRB officers and staff. Is this how the hard earned revenue collected for the government going to be spent on such careless and irresponsible projects?

All the people who were responsible for planning and building the Seri Temenggong police flats in Taman Sentosa way back in 1993 should be fully investigated and those responsible for this fiasco should be prosecuted.

Balbir Singh Khaira
Johor Baru

Source: The Sun – February 14, 2008