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Traffic Congestion In The Making

It is a pleasure to put up some of our residents' articles. This one here came from Albert and thanks very much.

Hi Jimmy,

I am staying in Pearl Garden. Recently, I have came across a news in local chinese newspaper which I think would affect all of us including Sungai Ara residents. Sorry for the chiong hei (long winded) email. This is more or less the content of the news.

25th Oct 09

To ease the heavy traffic in the Bayan Lepas old town road, the Penang JKR department will open a new

interchange road called Jalan Kampung Bukit, which will divert the traffic from Teluk Kumbar to Sungai Ara. It

means that for those residents staying in Teluk Kumbar who would like to go to the town area, they will have to turn left at the traffic light into Jalan Kampung Bukit where Taman Sri Bayu apartment is located, instead of passing through the Bayan Lepas old town area.

The Jalan Kampung Bukit road will eventually merge to the Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim where the resident from Teluk Kumbar will pass through the traffic light infront of the SP Setia, cemetry, Pearl Garden, Chung Cheng Primary School to go to Georgetown.

Currently the new Jalan Kampung Bukit road is still not open to the public yet as the JKR is still waiting for the traffic flow report. After the new road is opened, the JKR will change the Bayan Lepas old town road to one way. It means that for those who wants to go to Teluk Kumbar from Bayan Baru, they can still pass through the Bayan Lepas old town road. But not of the opposite direction. This news is reported in the Kwong Wah Jit Poh dated 25th Oct 09.

Fyi, the new interchange road will be opened next month. Please refer to the original news reported at this link, http://www.kwongwah.com.my/news/2009/10/25/2.html

As the resident of Pearl Garden and Sungai Ara as a whole, I personally think that this arrangement or "patch

solution" is going to create heavy traffic congestion along Jalan Dato' Ismail Hashim. Every morning and

evening during peak hours, the traffic flow in Sungai Ara is almost unbearable.

We will have to bear with heavy jam in the traffic light located in front of Chong Cheng Primary School and the traffic light at the cross road of Jalan Data Ismail Hashim and Jalan Tun Dr Awang. What the local authorities are trying to do is to move the traffic congestion problem from one place to another.

This will not solve the traffic problem but at the same time creating a bigger pile up along Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim which is already having problem coping with the increasing traffic. With such heavy traffic congestion, Sungai Ara property price will definitely be affected.

Currently, we are having difficulty trying to cross the road opposite of Pearl Garden (Jalan Dato Ismail

Hashim) due to heavy traffic from Setia Pearl Island direction. I could not imagine how the situation will be

if the road is used for those traffic from Teluk Kumbar as well.

Do you have any channel for us to complain/feedback to the local authority in order for them to find a better

solution?

I guess they will have to come to Sungai Ara during peak hour to realize that the traffic condition in Sungai Ara is no better than Teluk Kumbar and it might be worst.

I could think of a simpler solution. Instead of directing the traffic along Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim, the traffic could be directed to Jalan Makamah. From Jalan Makamah, the road user will be able to turn to Jalan Tun Dr Awang. In fact, the road user could access back to Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah but that would require them to make an illegal U-Turn at the roundabout near the airport.

If the Local authority could allow traffic to flow to the roundabout, the condition will be much better. Please refer to the image Map.jpg for the alternative route that I mentioned. Apologize for the poor description. The road that was proposed by JKR is showed in cyan and green arrow. The alternative route that I thought of is rounded as blue.

Albert

Poor Wiring Conduit..Penang FON?

One of our residents complained about the shitty wiring conduit being installed by a contractor. He suspected the work of Penang Fon. Can GE Tan verify? Below is the email from our resident, Albert.

Hi Jimmy,

Apologize for my sudden approach. My name is Albert and I am the resident of Pearl Garden. I have been visiting your blog now and then. I must say this is a very efficient way to get information of what is happening in our neighbourhood. Your effort is very much appreciated.

Today, 20th Oct 2009, when I got back from work, I realized that there is a new wiring conduit running right in front of my unit to my neighbour's unit. Fyi, I am staying in the intermediate unit. The wiring conduit installation was very badly done. My initial suspicion was the wiring could be used for PenangFON. However, the wiring conduit was really a crappy work if we compare to the CCTV installed at the groundfloor of each block

I am not sure if we could get the Penang FON guy to improve the conduit installation so that I do not see such bad installation everytime i open my front door.

Attached are the photos of the conduit installation. Could you pls advice what could I do?

Cling clang clang - Poster Postman Is Back !

Remember this post?

Below comment was contributed by Mr. Ooi Wat Tang a resident of Pearl Garden (a MC too) via an email to me today. It goes like this:-

Dear All,

I happened to visit Jimmy's webpage on PG recently. It is regarding the delivery man that puts leaflets into every mail box.

I agreed with Jimmy's point of view, all those leaflets are junk mails which we don't need.

Below is quoted from Jimmy.

"I don't know about you guys, but I have my letter box full of name cards and leaflets from tuition centres, plumbing services, massages, gas delivery, electrical repairs, loan sharks, lorry rental services, you name it, I have it. There is so much rubbish in the letter box nowadays!!!

Well, this is done by one of this leaflet "postman" who just put in the leaflets from various companies into our letter boxes, they don't care if you need it or not, their main objective is to ensure that every letter box has all the various leaflets. Sometimes, they come twice a day!!!!

Usually at about 9:00 to 10:00am am in the morning, you will hear the "cling, clang, cling, clang" noise which was produced by the mail box flaps when some one pushes a leaflet into it. Just imagine, the number of mail boxes we have in each block. It is very disturbing and gets into many people's nerves.

Our security people must stop these leaflet "postman" from coming in. I am sure our security people knows who these "postmen" are but still let them come in. So, Mr. Security, please stop this from happening again!!"

Till today, I still see those junk emails in my mailbox. Can we stop these delivery men from coming into

Pearl Garden ?

Best regards.

wt ooi

PG 15th Floor - Flooded!

After 24 hours of heavy rain in Penang last weekend, one of the 15th floor tenant had a shock of his life to find his apartment flooded when he returned from outstation. Rain water poured into their bedroom because the drainages were clogged at the roof top.

Too Close For Comfort?

No intention of making the car owners look bad, but this is too close for comfort. I am sure it was just a honest miscalculation and bear in mind there is this fire hose at the rear of the car nearest to the pillar.

Vandalism At Large

A resident by the name of Vincent sent these photos to me. It clearly showed deep scratches on the side of the car done by irresponsible individuals. It must be a painful experience for Vincent (and the car too) as he kept these photos since 2008.

Death Just A Leap Away

While walking to the parking lot, I saw these kids venturing out side the fence of the tennis court. I nearly shit in my pants and told them to move back slowly to where they came from. One false move and they will fall to the ground. It is approximately a 60 feet fall and I don't think they could survive the fall. Please know where your kids are playing, it may just save their lives.

Please lock the doors leading to the rooftop. I know it is inconvenient to freely access to the tennis courts, but what is a little bit of inconvenience compared to kids falling off the roof top.

New Dato Kong Shrine Celebration (Part I)

Pearl Garden residents donated generously to build a new Dato Kong shrine. This video showed the residents preparing for the ceremony where a medium will actually transfer the 7 Dato Kong spirits to their new home.

There are a few more parts to this event, so please stay tuned. Part 2 and Part 3 on the way.

Baby Sitter Wanted

Experienced Chinese Baby Sitter Wanted 

(for 2 month old baby)

Starts September 2009

Day care 8:00am ~ 7:00pm or Day & Night

Baby sitter within Pearl Garden preferred

Call Miss Yuly - Tel : 012-532 8780

Security Guard Lepak

Lepaking, drawing and don't know what he was doing. This video was taken during the fogging in progress on the 12 May 2009. He can still do his rounds or assist residents, especially children to the pool side. Where is he supposed to be and what is he supposed to do in this kind of situation? Where is the S.O.P GE Tan and MC was talking about?

Dato Kong Old Shrine Demolished

The old shrine has been demolished making way for a brand new shrine. The new shrine will probably be completed in a few weeks time. We take this opportunity to thank all residents for their kind contributions and donations. Thank you very much.

Car Parked Too Close For Comfort

Not sure who is right or who is wrong. And I am not taking sides but felt that neighbours should communicate and be courteous to each other, even when it comes to parking their cars.

PG Residents Approves RM 165K for CCTV Security

The resolution to install the new CCTV to improve the security and the expansion of the guard post has been passed. The cost will be approximately RM 165,000.00

Swine Flu : Danger In The Air

Swine influenza (also swine flu) refers to influenza caused by any strain of the influenza virus endemic in pigs(swine). Strains endemic in swine are called swine influenza virus (SIV), not to be confused with Simian immunodeficiency virus, also abbreviated to SIV.

Swine flu is common in swine and rare in humans. People who work with swine, especially people with intense exposures, are at risk of catching swine influenza if the swine carry a strain able to infect humans. However, these strains rarely are able to pass from human to human. Rarely, SIV mutates into a form able to pass easily from human to human. The strain responsible for the 2009 swine flu outbreak is believed to have undergone such a mutation.^[1] This virus is named swine flu because one of its surface proteins is similar to viruses that usually infects pigs, but this strain is spreading in people and it is unknown if it infects pigs.

In humans, the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort. The strain responsible for the 2009 swine flu outbreak in most cases causes only mild symptoms and the infected person makes a full recovery without requiring medical attention and without the use of antiviral medicines.

Of the three genera of human flu, two are endemic also in swine: Influenzavirus A (common) and Influenzavirus C(rare). Influenzavirus B has not been reported in swine. Within Influenzavirus A and Influenzavirus C, the strains endemic to swine and humans are largely distinct.

(Courtesy of Wikipedia)

First Aid : Cuts (click post to enlarge)

Traffic Lights Down Again!!

This traffic light was knocked down by some careless driver last week and yesterday when I took this photo, all the casing, lights and wires were not there, only the traffic light beam remained. I hope no one stole them but taken by the related authorities.

This is located at the junction of Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim, postcode 11900, Penang.

By the way, this traffic light has been replaced many times in a year due to careless drivers who took reckless cornering stunts.

First, we need to replace the traffic lights and some one from the traffic section must study how such incident can be eliminated. I believe the traffic lights cost a lot too, well, it is also our money right?


Where?

Pearl Garden 1st AGM - Tomorrow

Notice of First Annual General Meeting for the formation of the Management Corporation (Perbadanan Pengurusan Pearl Garden) to be held on the 21 March 2009 (Saturday), at the Community Hall of Pearl Garden Condominium, Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim, 11900 Penang.

Residents feedbacks and JMC's replies compilation (Updated V7 / 8:55pm / 25 Mar 09)

• I stayed in Block A and I have difficulty in watching our local channel such as TV1, TV3, NTV7, Channel 8 and etc. What happen here is sometimes very clear but lot of times very blur, can management check the antenna up there?
  

(Reply to Block A TV reception problem. Last week we just had a technician checked Block A & C's TV recption problems. We need specific unit # since problem is not rampant in any particular block. The type of problem reported is isolated to certain unit. If there is any problem with our MATV system, then all untis will be affected. This type of problem is normally from the booster or splitter at floor level or specific line error. Resident must be aware that if the fault is specific to only one unit, he will have to pay the cost involved as provided by Strata Title Act Schedule 3. In fact the problem to Block B was traced to the wall socket inside the unit. We are still working on Block C. I've recently rejected a quotation from Pensaga of RM8000+ for replacing whole system in Block C. That is not the way to run the maintenance. For block A, pls report to mgt office since we are working on the same subject.)

(Reception issue attended, A-10-2 / A-09-2)

• Level C parking lot’s fluorecent light up there is not working. i believe it switches to “alternate light to be on” in the midnight, this method is fine, but some of the light is consecutive off several lights that make the parking lot very dark, please kindly check this too.
  

(Done, no more issue)

• Probably a branch fell and damaged the fence along the jogging path. It has been there unattended for quite sometime now. Can the Pearl Garden maintenance section or JMC take charge to repair it as soon as possible? Thank you.

(Repaired by maintenance with full cooperation from JMC)

• It is also very important that after the fun and all, the empty firework shells are collected and thrown away into the rubbish bins. We have to practice such simple common sense, don’t leave your rubbish for some else to pick up.
  

(JMC instructed cleaners to remove rubbish from the parking roof, thanks to JMC)

• Better trim this tree before it collapses onto the roof of motorcycle parking area. I am afraid that the weight of the branches maybe too heavy for the roofing. Can the JMC or the gardener look into this? Thank you.

(Branches trimmed by the gardener, thanks to JMC, good job)

• Can the management team setup a few parking lots for visitor/relative? For example, sometimes we have relative from outstation come to visit us for 1 or 2 days, then before they reach, we will go and register at either management office or security guard post so our relative from outstation able to park inside for 1 or 2 days when they are here?
  

(No answer)

• “Escalator in Block A” (the one with yellow bult inside. When the escalator passes “level 8″, it will have a “TICK” sound, please kindly check for safety purposes.
  

(Solved by lift company with the assistance of JMC)

• On the parking issue, Pearl Garden inner road has served as an additional parking space for many years now and as more families occupying PG, space is rather limited at times. It is a hassle for many visitors to find a parking space, some may have to park their car across the road (near TYY or Aswing).Can we have a comment from the committee or management of PG on this matter?
  

(No answer)

• Is that any plan to put up security camera in all public area? What is the technical challenge? What is the cost of doing so? Maintaining method ?
  

(No answer)

• NEITHER THE PROPOSAL SOLVING THE PROBLEM. It has to be a building to provide 100-150 parking space.what is the possibility of extending the existing multistory car park to the land and move the field to the roof top of the car parkWhat is the cost like?
  

(The JMC have been working on this for quite a while. Our member Kam Heng spent much effort working on it. Briefly, We have covered all possibilities. The Jogging track field belong to District Office. We have written to them. The small patch beside the car wash belong to MPPP. We had worked with original architect/engineer, it is possible to convert car part roof top but amout is hugh, at least 150k depending on design. We have asked Pensaga to get quote on converting putting green and MPPP’s lot w/o cemmenting up the whole areas. If anyone has any proposal, please feel free to contact JMC or MC, after AGM.)

• Is that any detail on the proposed?I would like to know if the JMC has any detail in written. Please provide more detail for discussion here..
  

(There are too much details involved in the study to create more car park space. As mentioned earlier, the JMB has given go ahead to seek quotations on “putting green” and MPPP lot. The roof-top conversion involved plan approval and need services of building consultants. There are several options ranging from 150k to 300/400k. There is up-front of professional cost of 15-20k feasibility study cost. This will be a sunk cost if we are unable to proceed for whatever reasons.On the security system, it is at tender committee stage with short listing done. It involves installing cameras all round, card access for bike, rooms/visitors plus PA system and panic buttons and many more. The exact details have not been firm up and still p&c to tender committee. Residents are encourage to attend AGM for more details. Any proposal will be most welcome especially those engineering experts.)

• As we know AGM fall on this Friday morning, which lot of people are working, can’t this meeting been held in Saturday morning? Because more people will be able to attend if it is so.
  

(JMC managed to postpone the AGM to a weekend date)

• I don't have comment regarding this but I have a complain to Block B as I can hear someone blasting the speaker in midnight almost everyday. It's good that if you could help to start a topic on this as I am not sure which floor it is coming from. Appreciate that.
  

(Advice given.)

• Can the committee explain why the amount of Sinking Fund shown in the account is only 732k? Refer notice board. It is just 2000 x 366. What happened to the interest for past 10 years?
• Just to add another comment to the question of Sinking Fund. Building and Common Property ( Maintenance and Management) Act 2007 (Act 663) Section IV sub-sections 22 and 24 call for setting up two separate funds for Building Maintenance Fund and Sinking Fund. Using simple calculation, the Sinking Fund should have increased to RM1032.6k if at interest rate of 3.5% p.a. It is important to ensure that interests earned are accounted for and reported together with Sinking Fund.
  
• Can JMB management explain why the audited account is not distributed to all residents like other condo. Do JMB expect residents to stand in front of notice board to check the accounts. It is ridiculous. I propose to reject the accounts unless we are given a copy and are given sufficient time to go through them. Block A owner.
  
• It was minuted in JMC meeting dated 19 Jul 2008 that Sinking Fund together with interest earned to date be put into a separate account.
  

(I wish to refer to meeting minutes of JMC meeting 3/2008 held on 19 Jul 08 item 7.0 that the portion of FD for Sinking Fund be transferred back to its account with interest gain up to date.  This topic was raised by myself because the BPCA 2007 stated that 2 separate funds must be maintained.)

(If you read the balance sheet, there is another line item called Building Maintenance Fund, which total ~2million. The interest and monthly earnings go into that fund. The ‘sinking fund’ of 732k is the original sinking fund.)

(The auditor can always trace it back to past annual reports to figure out all interests earned over the years. The question is how we treat the interest…whether to use them for maintenance or keep them in the sinking fund. Typically other condo uses the interest earned to subsidize maintenance/upgrade projects.)

(I contacted the auditor about the figure.  I was later informed that the amout was Rm 1mil+ before a reclassifiation was done. I further the auditor shouldn't they audit the account according to Strat Titile Act & BCPA and not Company Act.  The auditor admitted so & agreed that interest earned from Sinking Fund should be added together as part of it.  It is the same treatment in Finance/Accounting standard.  I do not understand why Ms Teh is silence on this issue.)

• Can we have MPPP to trim down those branches to eliminate the danger of falling branches? Maybe our MC and GE Tan & Associates can initiate this? 
  

(JMC to follow up with MPPP or JKR, will provide estimated date soon.)

• Well, this is done by one of this leaflet "postman" who just put in the leaflets from various companies into our letter boxes, they don't care if you need it or not, their main objective is to ensure that every letter box has all the various leaflets. Sometimes, they come twice a day!!!!
  

(No answer)

• Squash court flooring slippery (court no. 1)
  

(Rectified, players satisfied with contractor's job)

• Lift roof panel broken / not installed
  

(Fixed, quick job, thanks JMC)

• Smell of a dead animal at carpark level B.

(Cleaners sent to investigate by JMC, found no dead animal, smell gone, thank you)

Pearl Garden 1st AGM : 21 March 2009

With the Pearl Garden 1st AGM around the corner, there are several interesting matters that residents need to know, here are some important ones that we would like to highlight:-

1. There are only 197 unit owners who have registered for the strata titles.  Only these owners are allowed to vote in the AGM. They can also nominate, be nominated to stand for election of council members provided they had paid up maintenances fee until Feb 2009. We believe many residents are unaware of this ruling.
2. With the formation of Managment Committee, we can choose our own name. If not, MPPP will issued us the standard name such as Badan Pengurusan Pearl Garden.  We can also design our own logo for all stationery.  
   

Maybe after the AGM, the new Management Committee can hold a contest for logo design open to residents of Pearl Garden only.