The Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) has been urged by PKR’s Chang Lih Kang to review its standard operating procedures (SOPs) as well as its decision to close strata management offices.
The Tanjong Malim MP noted that closing down the property and facility management sector would deprive residents of the benefits of the services offered by their respective strata management offices all throughout the lockdown period, reported Free Malaysia Today (FMT).
“More than six million Malaysians live in apartments and condominiums, and under the strata scheme, management offices are responsible for providing management and maintenance services to residential properties,” he said as quoted by FMT.
“The management sector should be considered an essential service – it is essential for six million people, particularly as many are working from home right now.”
The Malaysian Institute of Property & Facility Managers (MIPFM), however, clarified that the property and facility management sector operated as usual and was only closed to visitors and residents.
“Management offices can operate on-site but are closed to the public, in accordance with the SOPs issued by KPKT,” MIPFM President Adzman Shah Mohd Ariffin told FMT.
“Based on a survey with our members, all strata management offices are operating as usual. I have not found any property management company which isn’t operating and has closed its office.”
Adzman was unsure why the sector had been overlooked when the list of essential services was gazetted early last year under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020.
“Despite repeated reminders during public engagement and official memorandums to MITI (International Trade and Industry Ministry) and MKN (National Security Council), this sector is still not recognised by the government as an essential service,” he said as quoted by FMT.
“We are, however, grateful to KPKT for being proactive in quickly providing specific SOPs for this sector.”
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