2011年6月19日 星期日

Sub-committee election platform



I am a retired person, previously serving as a senior executive in one of the largest financial institutions. I had also been a chairman of an Incorporated Owners for many years. I possess thorough administration and management experience. My wife and I decided to settle down in LOHAS Park because of the enchanting environment in the vicinity. Alas! We bought and received the flat in August last year, hitherto unable to move in. The building is seven years old, but found with various defects – serious burst of pipes inside the ceiling, dropping toilet sewage oozing with stench, water seepage from external walls, a styrofoam box was found inside the wall... After hundreds of communications with the Management office, the problems are yet not entirely solved.

All in all, it is very likely of the developer's defective construction with inferior materials, coupled with the notorious management of MTR. Although several condemnations have been issued by different bodies in this estate to impeach the management, they still remain feckless. The Hong Kong Government, being the major shareholder of MTR, appears conniving at it.

There is an unfair agreement set up by the MTR with the proviso disabling the Estate to change the Management company. The MTR senior staff are arrogant, ignoring many of our requests, and despicable to bully individual owners, in an attempt to inveigle us  into a trap. It is indubitably that they cannot deny the responsibilities. There are over eight hundred cases of defect complaints about water leakage reported by individual units yet remain to be solved. With regard to the inner courtyards, it is horrible to see the broken pipes and concrete, huge and small, keep falling onto the ground.

You may be fortunate with your flat without a problem. However, you may notice the external walls and public areas are seriously deteriorating. No matter maintenance, or the damage would cause accidents including casualties, according to law, all owners of each tower will have to share the responsibilities. The estate ages less than 10 years, and the impending deterioraton is accelerating. When the developer disclaims the undertaking, the repair could be of multi-millions of dollars. If we don't compel MTR and the developer to rectify the situations in time, such expenses will have to be borne by you and me.

The MTR income, apart from a certain percentage on total management fee, is also derived from 8% manager's fee on all outsource works. In other words, the higher the expenditure, the more the income MTR receives. This may lead to lavishly unchecked expenses and perhaps also insiders syndicate tender rigging.

We all need an amiable sub-committee to work for the estate, a committee willing to work under transparency, no self-agenda and most importantly, no conflict of interest with MTR. I have the following suggestions and I will follow closely, if I am elected.

1. All candidates must declare that they and their family members do not have business connection with MTR and the developer which may cause conflict of interest.
2. During the election, there shall be certain time for Q&A before the voting. Questions shall be registered before the election. If time is insufficient, a draw shall take place.
3. During the sub-committee meeting, any elected member should disclose if there is conflict of interest on the subject to be discussed, and as such he or she will have to abstain from voting on the matter concerned.
4. Any proposal regarding the estate put forward by any member shall be discussed overtly. It cannot not be refused by majority poll of hands or ballot.
5. Because of much issues about management and repairing affairs, the sub-committee shall conduct regular meeting at least once a month. Results of other sub-group shall be passed by the monthly sub-committee meeting.
6. MTR must complete all rectification work within specific period, including public utilities, external walls, and individual flats that have had latent defects but are subsequently discovered. Progress reports must be made known to public.
7. MTR carrying out rectification work for individual flats should notify the owners the schedule and time table.
8. To prohibit malfeasance and conclave arrangement, non-current expenditure shall be discussed openly in the sub-committee meeting. Resolution shall not be made by email. The books concerning public expenditure shall be open and through the sub-committee for owners inspection.
9. Any expense or loss caused by MTR or developer's negligence shall be borne by MTR and the developer. Such fees shall not be deducted from the management fee paid by owners.
10. All notices, including minutes of sub-committee meeting shall be forwarded to owners specified email, in addition to posting on notice boards.
11. Notice of election should be circulated early to allow sufficient time for candidates' consideration and preparation, and to allow ample time for registration for election.
12. During sub-committee meeting, it is urged that members should not be speaking foul language.

The contents stated above do not necessarily mean the past sub-committee must have committed illegal collusion, but with the defective system, it is definitely possible to happen. Finally, I declare that my family members and I have no business in relation to construction work in this estate, and there is no construction contract with MTR and the developer.

Wish you a happy living environment.

Tower 1 Candidate
September 2018


屋苑管理的隱憂


Our Home Our Heart Our Prestige
日出康城 我們的家園


e: plau7518@gmail.com

(Tenants, if not owners, kindly pass on to owners)

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