Melaka: The Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB) is upgrading the lift facilities in three apartments within the Banda Hilir state constituency here, involving an allocation of more than RM1.8 million. Mayor Datuk Shadan Othman said the three apartments are Pangsapuri Laksamana Cheng Ho, Pangsapuri Laksamana Satu, and Pangsapuri Sembilan Tingkat.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, lift upgrading works in each apartment cost about RM600,000. So far, two of the apartments, namely Pangsapuri Laksamana Cheng Ho and Pangsapuri Laksamana Satu, have been upgraded, while Pangsapuri Sembilan Tingkat is still in the implementation process. The upgrading works on the lifts should be the responsibility of the Joint Management Body (JMB) or the Management Corporation (MC), but this project was carried out via an MBMB initiative, with funding provided by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), Shadan stated.

He spoke to reporters after the Completion Ceremony of the Upgrading Project for the Facilities of Pangsapuri Laksamana Cheng Ho and Pangsapuri Laksamana Satu, which was held in conjunction with the Wakil Rakyat Untuk Rakyat (WRUR) Programme for the Banda Hilir state constituency. The event was also attended by Banda Hilir assemblyman Leng Chau Yen.

Shadan explained that the upgrading works for the facilities were carried out because the existing lifts were over 30 years old and often malfunctioned, making it difficult for residents, especially the elderly, to move between floors. Many apartments under the MBMB administration can be categorised as dilapidated and require upgrades in various aspects of the facilities.

Leng, who is also Melaka deputy exco for Women, Family and Community Development, emphasized the need for an act, policy, or system involving the provision of a special budget to improve facilities in all apartments that require it. She noted that in the Banda Hilir state constituency, many apartments are over 30 years old and require various facility improvements, including lifts, as most residents are elderly and face mobility challenges if the facilities are damaged.

She highlighted the importance of lifts as essential facilities that need regular maintenance to ensure they are safe and do not inconvenience residents, particularly those living on upper floors.