The Chronicles of Prima Tiara 2 JMB (The Sequel)

To our loyal readers, thank you for staying tuned to our story. As promised, here’s the sequel to the Chronicles of Prima Tiara 2 Joint Management Board. . . . If you’ve missed the earlier episode, please click here.

Before we continue with our story, let us remind you that what you’re about to read are actual accounts of our experience. This story is shared without prejudice and with a purpose to record the proceedings of our journey relating to the introduction of this JMB and JMC. Like all chronicles, this serves as a journal of our journey – a journey we have yet to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Feel free to comment, and share your experiences and views here.

The story continues . . . .

We initiated a meeting with LDS International Asset Management, and they obliged.

20 January 2008

5 Exco members of PT2RA met with 4 representatives of LDS International Asset Management, led by Mr. Andrew Chan (Managing Director) at the apartment’s multi purpose hall during the morning.

The meeting began with both parties giving a brief of each other’s organisation background, and the introduction of all attendees present.

After much diplomatic conversation, we decided to shoot the first direct question of the day – “What value are you going to bring to us, the residents and owners of this apartment? And how?”. . . . . This question was raised because we know for a fact LDS International Asset Management charges a professional fee to manage this apartment, and it is in the figure of thousands of Ringgit. We believe that with that amount of monies, residents and owners here will have better security with the investment of CCTVs in our apartment vicinity. Yes, sadly to say…. there is currently only 2 units of CCTVs here, 1 capturing the vehicles coming in, and the other on vehicles exiting the residents car parking area.

To our dismay…. LDS International Asset Management reps couldn’t provide us a concrete response as to how they may add value to the current management operations.

Our second direct question came in the form of “Why was LDS International Asset Management’s appointment as our new Management came from the current Management company (CRSC Urus Sdn Bhd) and not the JMC or the developer?”. . . . . They explained that the JMC is currently having some issues.

Our third direct question continued as “Since you’re our new Management, why are we still required to pay our monthly fees to the previous Management’s account?”. . . . .They claimed they are appointed by the developer, Pangkal Perkasa Sdn Bhd, on a monthly basis.

Our forth direct question was related to the expressed fact that the JMC is in a crisis, and the developer’s responding letter to us on 19 December 2007 claiming the JMC is still intact. We shared to them that we were also informed that the JMC resignation letter addressed to the COB was faxed solely by the JMC Chairman to LDS Chartwell International (Attn: Mr Andrew Chan). We seek Mr. Andrew Chan’s confirmation on this, and he confirmed receiving the faxed letter. We asked, “Was the Resignation Letter of the JMC forwarded to the COB of KL, or resignation of the 7 JMC members notified to COB of KL by LDS Chartwell International as the Chairman of the First Meeting?”. . . . . The answer was a shocking – NO.

Our fifth direct question was obviously, “Was the developer informed of the resignations by LDS Chartwell International?”. . . . . The answer was YES. This update did fired up the whole meeting ambiance. We were then informed by Mr Andrew Chan that the developer wished to re-elect a new JMC for the benefit of everyone. We questioned their (the developer’s) sincerity, as we have not received such information until mentioned by Mr Andrew Chan at this meeting. We were further convinced that amongst the purpose of LDS obliging to meet us at this meeting was to be a negotiating party in convincing us (Exco PT2RA) to re-establish the JMC.

After much debate and words exchanged, we agreed to be nominated to the JMC with criteria to be expressed in our letter to LDS. LDS will then forward or convey our criteria to the developer since they didn’t show interest in wanting to meet us.

Throughout the whole episode of this meeting, we can’t help but to have the impression that the reps from LDS was trying very hard to convince us on having a good JMC and that we are stupid or stubborn as they tried to educate us on this matter.

28 January 2008

We wrote a letter to LDS International Asset Management (Attn: Mr Andrew Chan) stating our criteria as follows:

1. All accounts pertaining to the management and maintenance of Prima Tiara 2, as at 31 December 2007, are to be duly audited by a professional auditor by 31 March 2008;
2. The complete list of defects and scheduled rectification works for common areas of this building, must be displayed at the apartment’s notice board by 28 February 2008;
3. The list of defects as described above (and any other arising matters raised by the Architect) must be completed by 30 April 2008 or no later than 2 months upon the endorsement of the JMB/JMC by the Commissioner of Building (COB), whichever date is earlier;
4. In between the election of the Joint Management Committee (JMC) members and the official endorsement of the JMC by the COB, the JMC shall have absolute control and management of the incomes and expenditures of the building management and maintenance funds, and all relevant contract and awards are to be approved by the JMC.

26 February 2008

We received the following response from LDS International Asset Management:

We refer to your letter dated 29 January 2008 and now respond as per the criteria itemized.

1. As were not involved in the management and maintenance for the whole year of 2007, we are not in the position to ensure that the accounts can be duly audited by 31 March 2008. We can only liaise with the previous management and we have been advised that the accounts are in the process of auditing.
2. From the records provided, we are in the process of finalizing the complete list of defects and scheduled rectification works for the common areas of this building and shall display such list in the notice board once completed.
3. We are not in position to confirm that the above said defects can be completed by the deadlines given, as this is outside our professional obligation. However, we can and will act as a mediator/facilitator in this matter to resolve any issues in an amicable manner.
4. We agreed that the JMC members under the Joint Management Body shall have the necessary legal management control. We recommend that the JMC members be reconstitued as soon as possible and we stand ready to assist.

Our dear readers,

We kid you not that we believe either they misunderstood our intention in writing to them in the first place or they are trying to dodge bullets here and give us flowers instead.

Stay tuned for the Finale . . . . .