Desa Mentari, Bandar Sunway

Desa Mentari is a low-cost flat built on state alienated land with the purpose of relocate squatters from nearby areas, which include Kampung Desa Hormat, Kampung Medan Cahaya, and Kampung Lindungan. It is unclear when the development was completed, but it has been around as early as 2003.

There are a total of 13 blocks, each having 18 storeys in Desa Mentari. The built up sizes of the units range from 652 to 780 sf and sub-sale price is going as low as RM70,000. As many units were auctioned off due to forfeiture, the reserve price for certain units could go as low as RM39,500.

Desa Mentari does have 24-hour security but with the prevailing crime rate, there is little that the guards can do to reduce the crime rate. A rather run-down gymnasium is available, along with a playground. There is a jogging track but there are very few users. A mini market is available within Desa Mentari allowing for convenient daily shopping. Parking lots are sparse as the population density in the area is very high. Other apartments around Sunway include Makmur Apartment , and Specturm Apartment .

Within the proximity of Desa Mentari are three schools, namely SMK Taman Medan and Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Dato’ Harun, and Sekolah Agama Taman Medan. The immediate neighbouring area is Dataran Mentari, therefore amenities offered there are easily accessible as it is a 10-minute walk away. Sunway Pyramid, the award winning mall is 5 minutes’ drive away, along with Sunway Lagoon Park. The nearest hospitals are the Subang Jaya Medical Centre and the Sunway Medical Centre.

In terms of accessibility to Desa Mentari, it is located in the prime location of Bandar Sunway therefore, offers easy access to three major highways namely, the Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP), the Federal Highway, and the New Pantai Expressway (NPE). Public transportation in the area is crowded as it is used primarily as the mode of transport by the residents. Setia Jaya KTM station is roughly 15 minutes’ walk away, and a bus stop is located just outside the guardhouse.

Property Details

• Name: Desa Mentari
• Address: Jalan PJS 6, Off Jalan Klang Lama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
• Developer: Mentari Housing Development
• Type: Apartment
• Tenure: Freehold
• of Blocks: 13
• of Storey: 18
• of Units: 6,239
• of Bedrooms: 3
• of Bathrooms: 1
• Land Area: 6.11 acres
• Built-up: 652 – 780 sf
• Maintenance Fee: RM45
• Subsale Price: RM39,500 – RM145,000
• Rental: From RM750

Facilities

• Gymnasium
• Mini market
• Covered parking
• Playground
• Jogging track

Analysis

The lifts in Desa Mentari, with block 6 in particular, break down often. In October 2012, it received a lot of media attention as Desa Mentari is occupied mostly by Indians and HINDRAF, the political party was very active in raising awareness of the issues faced by the residents within Desa Mentari. Approximately 2,500 residents were affected by a long delay in fixing the lifts.

The management of Desa Mentari cites reasons such as 80% of the residents not paying their maintenance fees, vandalism and abuse of the elevators by transporting the residents’ motorcycles. The media has highlighted that many elderly or sick residents are forced to take the stairs, exacerbating their health problems.

Furthermore, when the lifts of Desa Mentari are working they are not necessarily safe. Residents report sudden movements even before choosing their destination floors while occupying the lifts and they fear for their lives. On 24th July, the state government announced an allocation of RM100,000 for the repair of the lifts in four blocks of Desa Mentari.

As of 2013 a lot of units in Desa Mentari became available via auction as roughly 100 units were reclaimed by the banks due to failure to make monthly payments on part of the residents. Units were available for bidding from as low as RM39,500. In terms of investment, the area is simply too rowdy to attract tenants. Rent recovery and vandalism would be an important factor to be taken into consideration. There are too many social issues within the area, not to mention the undependable lifts, making the apartment undesirable for own-stay.

Crime is definitely an issue in Desa Mentari. In 2010, there were sporadic clashes between Indian and Malay groups within the area of Desa Mentari; Parangs and sabits were used in the fights. Although mainstream media reports that the incidents are not racial in nature, most are skeptical as to the true nature of the fights. Police have on occasion raided Desa Mentari and Desa Ria, which is situated nearby, for persons on their wanted list.