New Dato Kong Shrine Part II (Medium In Trance)

A medium was engaged by the residents of Pearl Garden to ensure smooth transfer of seven deities from the old shrine to the new one recently built at the same site. This is the first part of the event, more to come.

New Dato Kong Shrine Celebration 31 May 2009

New Dato Kong Shrine Celebration

31 May 2009 (Sunday)

9:00 am

Preparation of praying paraphernalia and cleaning

11:00 am

Moving in of Dato Kong by medium

Communications and Consultations with medium

12:00 noon

Kenduri party (all residents are invited) 

Illegal Dumping At Hillside

CJ Jimmy Leow stumbled on four huge illegal dumping sites located at the hillside of Bayan Baru, Penang. The worst part is, there is this beautiful stream located at the bottom of the hill and it will be destroyed if such illegal dumping continues. Citizen Journalism Malaysia hopes that the related government agencies with take the necessary actions to save this stream and put those involved in this act behind bars.

Dato Kong New Shrine Donations

Thank you very much for your generous donations and contributions. We will be seeing a new Dato Kong shrine in a few days time.

GE Tan Initiates Clearing At Abandoned Path

Thanks to Mr. Lee of GE Tan and the cooperation of MPPP, the heavy bushes were cleared and making the path between the army camp and PG accessible.

Another Aedes Fogging 12 May 2009

Another round of fogging by Pejabat Kesihatan Barat Daya as a dengue case was detected in Block C, 14th floor. There are some statistics about the cases reported so far in 2009 in the video. Please take time to watch the video.

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.

Another Break In !!!

There was another break in at Block B yesterday!!!

I think this is getting absurb and the residents need to do something drastic before someone gets hurt. The normal suggestions and actions are not enough, we need come up with something different since nothing works.

These may sound silly but can I suggest that, we have the police involved here (full investigation)? Or can we form a Rukun Tetangga? Is there anything we can do than re-enforcing the doors? 

Residents, please come up with some ideas or suggestions so that we can have back our normal lives. Pass your suggestions to Mr. LT Yeoh or Mr. KS Gan immediately. They are having a meeting tonight (5th May 2009, 8:30pm) at the pool side. We really need your inputs and solve this issue together.

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

Pearl Garden CCTV EGM 25 Apr 2009

A New Dato Kong Shrine

The renovation cost for a new shrine is approximately RM 8,000.00

We kindly urge the kind residents of Pearl Garden to donate generously so that the committee can gather enough money for the new Dato Kong Shrine and a "kenduri".

You can register your name and the donation amount on the form posted at the lifts. Thank you very much.

Car Caught Fire At Pearl Garden, 21 Apr 2009

A car caught fire at the ground floor parking lot on the 21st April 2009. It caught everyone by surprise, especially the security guards who were not well versed with fire fighting routine. As you can see in the video, the water pressure from one of the fire hoses was weak. 

This incident showed how ill equipped we are when such incident happens. I have another clip which indicated that even the water hydrant was not working well. The management must frequently check and improve the fire fighting facilities at all times. 

We were lucky to have some brave residents who did whatever necessary to put out the fire at no time.

10 Simple Ways to Prevent Break Ins

No:10

Leaving certain things lying around your yard or in plain sight from the road can unwittingly lure thieves onto your property like frantic bargain hunters to a flea market. First, if you have a bicycle or scooter that someone could easy to walk away with, roll it inside or into your garage. Also, after purchasing a new plasma TV or other pricey electronics or appliance, don't leave the box out beside the trash can. That tells people you have something brand spanking new that could fetch decent dollars on the street. It may also leave them wondering what other goodies are inside your home.

You may also be showing off too much to people walking by your house as well. Open up your curtains, blinds or shades and stroll around the house and see what's visible. If you have a number of expensive items within plain sight or near windows, think about doing a minor redesign to move them out of view.

(Courtesy of HowStuffWorks)

Chewing gum in lift at Block A.

I don't know what to say....an uncivilized person jammed a chewing gum into the lift button panel. How inconsiderate can one be? If it was a kid, than I have to blame the parents for not teaching them well. Can we check from the CCTV who was the culprit?

Can maintenance section remove that piece of gum immediately? It is one of the block A lifts.

Homeless - Part 1

Our latest documentary done on the homeless people around Penang. We are a group of citizen journalists who are concerned with the increasing "round ups" of these homeless people by the related authorities and some say that the homeless were badly treated during these raids. 

Please watch this video and tell me how lucky you are when you have a family and a shelter over your head.

Video edited by Lilian Chan.

Special thanks to Lucia Lai, Lim Boo Seng, Owen Koh, Maran Perianen.

Maintaining your patch of garden

Before (5 Mar 2009)

After (27 Mar 2009)

Now it looks better with someone taking care of this patch of garden. Fantastic!

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)