Who Runs This Building: JMB, MO & COB
Who Runs This Building: JMB, MO & COB
There are three organizations involved in running [REF:rakyatboop:BUILDING-NAME]. Here’s who does what.
The Simple Version
┌──────────────────────┐
│ RESIDENTS │
│ (Owners + Tenants) │
└──────────┬───────────┘
│ Elect
▼
┌──────────────────────┐
│ JMB (Your Elected │ ← Volunteer owners
│ Representatives) │
└──────┬──────┬────────┘
│ │
Hires │ │ Oversees
▼ ▼
┌──────────────────────┐
│ MO (Management │ ← Hired professionals
│ Office) │
└──────────────────────┘
┌──────────────────────────┐
│ COB (Commissioner of │ ← Government regulatory body
│ Buildings) │
└──────────────────────────┘JMB — Joint Management Body
Who they are: Volunteer owners elected by residents at the AGM How many: Usually 5-7 members (Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, committee members) Term: Typically 1-2 years, re-elected at AGM Compensation: Unpaid volunteers (they’re your neighbors)
What they do:
- Make high-level decisions about the building
- Approve the annual budget
- Hire and oversee the Management Office
- Ensure compliance with the Strata Management Act
- Represent residents’ interests
- Sign contracts for major works
What they DON’T do:
- Handle day-to-day complaints (that’s the MO’s job)
- Manage staff or vendors directly
- Make unilateral decisions (most require majority vote)
Think of JMB as the Board of Directors. They set the direction. The MO executes.
MO — Management Office
Who they are: Hired professionals (usually from a registered management company) How many: Varies — typically an admin team + technicians on-site Reporting to: JMB
What they do:
- Day-to-day operations (cleaning, security, maintenance)
- Handle resident complaints and requests
- Manage vendors and contractors
- Collect maintenance fees
- Prepare financial reports
- Execute JMB decisions
- Emergency response coordination
What they DON’T do:
- Make policy decisions (that’s the JMB)
- Waive fees or make exceptions without JMB approval
- Spend sinking fund without JMB authorization
Think of MO as the Operations Team. They run the building day-to-day.
COB — Commissioner of Buildings
Who they are: Government body under the local authority (MBSJ for Petaling Jaya) Role: Regulatory oversight of all stratified buildings
What they do:
- Ensure compliance with the Strata Management Act 2013
- Maintain the Strata Management Tribunal
- Mediate disputes between JMB and residents
- Register JMB members
- Approve certain decisions (withdrawal of large sinking fund amounts)
When you’d contact COB:
- If the MO is not fulfilling legal obligations
- If the JMB is not acting in residents’ interests
- For disputes that cannot be resolved internally
- To file a claim at the Strata Management Tribunal
Think of COB as the Regulator. They don’t run the building, but they make sure it’s run properly.
Who Should You Contact?
| Issue | Contact |
|---|---|
| Emergency (fire, medical, security) | 999 → Security post |
| Burst pipe, lift breakdown, power outage | MO (03-7660 4752) |
| Maintenance fee payment or statement | MO |
| Noise complaint, neighbor issue | Security → MO |
| Complaint about MO service | JMB (through MO or AGM) |
| Want to propose a building improvement | JMB (through AGM or written proposal) |
| Legal dispute with MO or JMB | COB / Strata Management Tribunal |
| Want to join the JMB | Attend AGM → volunteer |
How to Get Involved
- Attend the AGM — this is where major decisions are made
- Vote — elect JMB members who represent your interests
- Volunteer for JMB — if you have the time, serve your community
- Submit proposals — all owners have the right to propose motions for the AGM
- Ask questions — the MO and JMB must answer reasonable questions about building management