From the outside, the 12-storey building with 216 housing units and its exterior fading paint colour is like other low-cost housing, but stepping into its lobby, the decoration is like entering a hotel.

That is the picture of the Pandan Utama apartment in Ampang, near here, which is beautifully and attractively decorated, including the waiting area at every floor, depending on the creativity of the occupants.

This decoration project, carried out by the Joint Management Body (JMB) in collaboration with the Residents Association, also involved putting up the direction signs.

Pandan Utama Flat JMB chairman Hussin Yahya, 67, said the transformation of the building started during implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in March 2020 to curb the spread of the Cvodi-19 pandemic.

“Initially, we only planned to paint and decorate the lobby as it is the main focus area for entry and exit, to make it more comfortable for residents.

“However, after seeing the results, we got excited and decided to also beautify the waiting area at every floor. It got the residents excited and they, themselves, chipped in with the cost. There were also some generous individuals who agreed to sponsor the project, ” he told Bernama.

Now, the building is not only beautiful and attractive, there is also no rubbish around, giving the place a clean and cheerful environment.

For Mazilah Abd Jalil, 49, who is the JMB secretary at the flat, the spirit of cooperation among the residents was the main factor that made the project a success.

“This spirit helps to change the mentality and life of residents at the flat, especially in dealing with issues on hygiene, vandalism and social problem.

“Honestly, we are very grateful and touched by the spirit of volunteerism among the residents. Although we have cleaners, the residents also take the initiative to decorate and clean the corridors themselves,” she said.

She said the project had strengthened relationship among dwellers at the flat.

The project also involved installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the elevator, parking and lobby area.

This made the housing area safer, said one Zulkifli Abdul Rahman, 46.

“To date, there have been no cases of mischief or vandalsism,” he added,

The spirit of cooperation and volunteerism by residents of the Pandan Utama Flat in painting and decorating their housing block not only received praises from the public, but also the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ).

Their wish now is for the request to paint the exterior of the flat building will be approved by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and the Selangor Property Housing Board this year.

Source: NewStraitsTimes,  February 10, 2022