Classic DAP and Pakatan response to the partial collapse at The Address condo - i.e. BLAME THE PREVIOUS FEDERAL TERRITORIES MINISTER AND THE KUALA LUMPUR CITY HALL (DBKL) UNDER HIM.
Sure, when in opposition, criticise the government and the local authority and stand with the people or be seen to stand with the people.
However when Pakatan became the federal government almost two years ago and the state governments of Selangor and Penang almost 12 years ago, what have they done to even review the approvals these property development projects under the previous government to see if there are any irregularities or aspects of them which are against the interests and safety of the people living in their vicinity?
A Malay Mail article follows below:-
Teresa Kok: Taman Desa residents suffering from ‘sins’ of Ku Nan
Tuesday, 18 Feb 2020 11:34 AM MYT
BY AZRIL ANNUAR
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 — The slew of development problems faced by Taman Desa residents is a result of the many problematic decisions made by former Federal Territories minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said today.
Following the partial collapse of condominium construction project The Address there, Kok who is also primary industries minister said she had vehemently opposed the Umno man, also known as Ku Nan, when she was in the Opposition.
“When I was the opposition MP prior to GE14, I have vigorously and vehemently criticised Tengku Adnan and DBKL for approving all these high-density projects,” Kok said in a Facebook post after meeting residents there.
“I have even hit out that he and DBKL has committed a grave sin when this project was approved by him and DBKL then.
“As a result of his intransigence then, today, the residents in Taman Desa are forced to suffer the consequences of the sins committed by the former FT minister and the then mayor,” she added.
Kok had met with the residents committee from One Desa, Desa Eight and Faber Tiara Condominium, as well as Taman Desa Residents Associations yesterday.
Some of the complaints she received include the fact that the land The Address Condominium is being developed on was originally earmarked as a TNB reserve and it is very close to a school and other condominiums.
The residents of Faber Tiara had also “been tormented” by the “nuisance and danger” of objects falling into their compound from the condominium’s construction.
Residents also told her that the access roads to the current entrances of One Desa and Desa Eight actually belong to the developer of The Address, rather than the respective developments.
“I fully understand the agony and the fury of all the residents. They are worried about their safety and especially more, after this mishap. I am in full sympathy with them,” Kok said.
On Saturday, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health started an investigation into the partial collapse of a 37-storey condominium under construction in Taman Desa, Jalan Klang Lama on the day before.
Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said the condominium developer’s advertising permit and developer licence was also suspended pending the investigation.
In the incident, two Bangladesh nationals were reported to be trapped on the first level after the floor of the parking area on the sixth level collapsed during heavy rain at 3.30pm.
The first victim was rescued at 5.15pm while the second at 9.40pm. Both were taken to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for treatment.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/18/teresa-kok-taman-desa-residents-suffering-from-sins-of-ku-nan/1838509
Just imagine what if the partially completed high-rise The Address condo toppled onto those low-rise condos to the left of it.
Once again, Pakatan/DAP Member of Parliament of Seputeh, Teresa Kok protested against the project back in 2017 when she was in opposition but how about after 9 May 2018 when she became part of the federal government and a cabinet minister ?????
And whilst Teresa Kok was objecting to over development in Barisan Nasional federal government ruled Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, the Pakatan state governments of Selangor and Penang were approving a slew of high-rise development projects in Selangor and Penang respectively.
The Malay Mail reports:-
Minister says objected to overdevelopment of Taman Desa back in 2017
Monday, 17 Feb 2020 05:14 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 — Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa Kok said she had raised concerns and objections over excessive development around the Taman Desa area back in 2017.
She said together with Taman Desa Residents Association, they had started a petition to protest the building of new condominiums and had called on Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to review all new projects in Taman Desa then.
Kok said the petition also opposed the 37-storey condominium project where part of its structure collapsed last Friday, trapping two Bangladesh workers who were later rescued.
“I was informed by DBKL that the building plan approval was given on June 2017 and the project started work on Feb 2018. I have no say in all of these, I did not approve the project,” she added.
“So, to say that I ran away from responsibility and ignored the people of Taman Desa is definitely wrong. We have opposed the over-development with a petition (back then),” she told reporters when met at the site of the incident here today.
MCA had earlier taken to task Kok, Minister of Federal Territories Khalid Samad and Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan, asking them to explain why protests against over-development in the area kept falling on deaf ears.
Yesterday, it was reported that a coalition of residents in Taman Desa that originally protested against the condominium project wants the authorities to revisit its approval as the mishap has raised many concerns among residents staying nearby the project. — Bernama
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/17/minister-says-objected-to-overdevelopment-of-taman-desa-back-in-2017/1838281
And - tad-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a. Bangsar residents protest property development projects APPROVED UNDER THE PAKATAN HARAPAN GOVERNMENT.
So how different are they from the former Barisan Nasional government ????????
Free Malaysia Today reports:-
Bangsar folk anxious over high-rise projects after Taman Desa condo collapse
Jason Thomas - February 18, 2020 9:10 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Collapsed walls and tractors sinking into the soft soil are just some of the incidents which have caused residents on Jalan Abdullah in Bangsar to be concerned about proposed development projects in the area.
Their fears have been heightened by the recent collapse of a partially built condominium block in Taman Desa.
The Jalan Abdullah area houses some of the oldest remaining residential properties in Bangsar. Comprising mostly bungalows and semi-detached houses, most of the properties were built between 1929 and 1940.
Residents are concerned that the houses would not be able to withstand the impact of major construction work. They are also worried that the narrow Jalan Abdullah would not be able to cater to commercial activities or the increase in density due to the proposed high-rise buildings.
“Nothing has been revealed to us and we don’t know anything about the structure of the development projects, what buildings they will have and how traffic will be managed,” said M Ali, deputy chairman of non-governmental organisation Save Kuala Lumpur, at a press conference today.
“These projects were approved by the Pakatan Harapan government. They were shouting out against this when they were in opposition but they are silent now,” he said.
Early last year, residents found out that under the Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020, the area had been gazetted from “residential” to “major commercial”.
The residents said the area’s infrastructure was meant for a low-density residential area and would not be able to handle a sizable increase in traffic volume.
Although no development orders had been issued, among the projects the residents are anxious about is a 21ha mixed development project on Federal Hill.
The residents said as a mixed development, the project had no limit on the population density. They claimed that the project would comprise 15 to 18 towers, with the tallest at 80 storeys high.
Ali said the residents only found out about the proposed projects by chance when they went to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to attend to other matters.
Upon inquiring with DBKL, they were told that new zoning laws did not require signboards to inform neighbouring owners of potential development projects.
He said that no traffic, social or environmental impact assessments have been shared with the residents.
FMT is getting comments from the developer of the project on Federal Hill.
Claiming that the KL City Plan 2020 had been “mutilated” and “butchered”, Ali said the fact that it was currently in court meant that all projects under the plan should also be put on hold.
A group of concerned residents in Kuala Lumpur have filed for a judicial review of the KL City Plan 2020, which is pending in the High Court.
They have asked Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad to issue a moratorium on all new development projects in Kuala Lumpur because of the judicial review application.
Residents said that over the past few years, there had been at least two cases of retention walls collapsing due to construction work by other companies – heightening their fears that the soil was not able to withstand major construction work.
Structural damage to a bungalow during the construction of a high-rise condominium along nearby Lengkok Abdullah led to the demolition of a bungalow. The site is now a car park.
“I live next to a proposed 32-storey condominium and I’m worried about this development,” said Ratnasothy Kandiah, 87, a resident on Jalan Abdullah for the past eight decades.
“The roads in the area are already very narrow and the soil is so soft that a neighbour’s wall recently collapsed,” she said.
Some of the houses next to hers are more than 70 years old and do not have concrete beams which will allow them to withstand the impact from piling work during major construction.
Another long-time resident, J Jegathesan, said a tractor had sunk into the soft soil during construction work next to his house two years ago. He said the work also led to his retention wall collapsing.
Referring to last Friday’s incident in Taman Desa, where two Bangladeshi workers were trapped for hours after the 6th floor of the 37-storey condominium block they were working on collapsed, Jegathesan said the incident should serve as a warning to developers.
“It’s an eye-opener and a warning not to rush into things,” he said.
“When the next collapse happens, we will all be held responsible as we knew this area was not stable.”
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/02/18/bangsar-folk-anxious-over-high-rise-projects-after-taman-desa-condo-collapse/
Earlier videos and articles about the partial collapse at The Address condo follow below:-
Parts of The Address, a condominium project under construction at Taman Desa collapsed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBOknKqYb8Y
Taman Desa residents urge authorities to make findings of probe into collapsed condo public
Sunday, 16 Feb 2020 02:42 PM MYT
BY DANIAL DZULKIFLY
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16 — Protect Taman Desa Coalition today urged the relevant government agencies probing the partial collapse of The Address II condominium project on Friday to ensure the findings are made public.
The coalition said this was important to ensure a transparent investigation into the partial collapse of the condominium project.
Protect Taman Desa Coalition working committee member Philip Phang during a press conference today said the call for greater transparency and accountability is so that such an incident will not occur again.
He said the parties responsible for the incident must be brought to book.
“We told you so. We are telling the government, we are telling our MP, we are telling our leaders, we are telling DBKL, we told you so that this is a project that will be a disaster... it is a disaster in the making. It is proven now,’’ said Phillip.
Protect Taman Desa Coalition and its members have an exhaustive history with the Address condominium project.
Prior to the construction of The Address II, A group of 11 Taman Desa residents had filed a lawsuit against the Kuala Lumpur mayor to stop the construction of The Address I on the grounds that it was built on a land marked for use of utilities and not for development.
“Protect Taman Desa Coalition asks that the findings the investigation be made public. There must be total transparency without compromise. No stone must be left unturned.
“Residents have observed that the developer and contractors have been carrying construction work at a frantic pace for both Address 1 and 2.
“Investigations must ascertain if the workers carrying out the construction work have been screened and certified for their competencies to carry out the construction works assigned,’’ he said.
Phang said if investigators find that the structural integrity of the project has been comprised, it is better for the structure to be torn down rather than be left abandoned, which could then pose other dangers.
“Protect Taman Desa Coalition also asks that all parties from the regulatory authorities to the consultants, developer, and contractor guilty of negligence be held fully accountable and dealt with severely in accordance with the Law.
“If indeed investigations reveal the partial collapse arose from structural failures and structural integrity of the entire building is compromised, the developer, including its directors must be made to ensure that whatever remaining be demolished immediately so that it does not create further public nuisance as an abandoned project and become a mosquito breeding ground,’’ he said.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/16/taman-desa-residents-urge-authorities-to-make-findings-of-probe-into-collap/1837994
We told you so, residents tell DBKL after building collapse
Nicholas Chung - February 16, 2020 2:06 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: A coalition of NGOs has called for transparency from the authorities in its investigations after the collapse of a partially built condominium block in Taman Desa.
The group, Protect Taman Desa, wanted the findings of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to be made public, stressing that the building should be torn down if its structural integrity was found to have been compromised.
Yesterday, Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad was reported as saying that weak foundations or pillars, which did not meet the specifications, could possibly be the cause of the collapse.
The group, comprising around 30 resident associations and joint management bodies in Taman Desa, also said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had been warned earlier that the development project was a “disaster in the making”.
“It’s proven now and it’s just the tip of the iceberg,” the group’s committee member Philip Phang said at a press conference here today.
Maxim Holdings, the developer for the 37-storey condominium block, had stated that part of the floor for the swimming pool under construction on the 6th floor had collapsed. A stop-work order has already been issued to the contractor.
In the incident, two Bangladeshi workers were trapped under the rubble at 3.40pm.
The first victim was rescued at 5.15pm and the second at 9.40pm. Both were taken to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for treatment and one was later discharged.
Yesterday, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said the Attorney-General’s Chambers will suspend the condominium’s sales licence until investigations into the matter were completed.
Phang said the land on which the condominium is being built had been gazetted as a green lung under the 2020 Kuala Lumpur Master Plan, adding that they had been protesting the development since its announcement in 2017.
“The federal territories minister, and DBKL as the statutory body for Kuala Lumpur, must explain why the land, designated as a green lung, was allowed to be developed.
“Was there a review of the project by the new federal territories minister or DBKL? If not, why?”
He said two judicial reviews filed by residents with the Kuala Lumpur High Court were dismissed in favour of DBKL, while an appeal to the Court of Appeal had also failed.
He also highlighted that, just after the 14th general election, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok had promised a town hall session to be held on the matter once a federal territories minister was appointed.
“It has been almost two years since then and the town hall meeting has yet to materialise.”
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/02/16/we-told-you-so-residents-tell-dbkl-after-building-collapse/
I must say that The Malay Mail is doing a good job covering the The Address, Taman Desa collapse.
This article reveals how the previous BN government, and the local authority under them ignored residents' concerns and objection to the project, and even how the current Pakatan Federal Territories Minister did not reply to their memo requesting review of the project.
The fact that this project is built on what was TNB reserve land, should be cause enough for a serious investigation and perhaps also grounds to cancel the project if any hanky panky is discovered.
But will they ???
The problem with representative parliamentary democracy is that citizens are given a ration of democracy to elect their representatives every four or five years, after which the elected representatives can fart in the citizens' faces until the next elections when they will one again be promising voters the sun, the moon and the stars if elected.
The Malay Mail article follows below.
After Taman Desa condo collapse, residents’ coalition wants govt to revisit their previous concerns about project
Sunday, 16 Feb 2020 06:09 AM MYT
BY SOO WERN JUN
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16 — A coalition of residents that originally protested against condominium project The Address wants the authorities to revisit its approval after part of it collapsed last Friday afternoon.
Save Taman Desa Coalition said the collapse raised many concerns which were brought up in 2017 when residents first found out about the project.
A group of 11 Taman Desa residents even filed a lawsuit against the Kuala Lumpur mayor to stop the construction of The Address, as the project was to be built on land that was marked for utilities and not for development.
The group’s lawsuit, however, failed to stop its construction. Fast forward to today, the developer has started construction of a second phase — The Address II.
Taman Desa resident Philip Phang said residents’ concerns over the condominium project still stand today; safety concerns and question marks of how the project was approved.
“In the Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 (KLCP 2020) the land which The Address is built on, is still marked as a green lung.
“We asked many questions regarding the project, but none of them were answered by the government or the local authorities,” said Phang.
A stop-work order has now been issued to the contractor of the partially built condominium. At the same time, several parties will be investigating the cause of the collapse.
Although the Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad said there was a high possibility the collapse was caused by weak foundation and structure, residents remain adamant the project should not have been approved in the first place.
“Why has the government ignored our previous queries?
“We even sent a memorandum to the FT Minister’s office shortly after he took office in November 2018, but we still have not heard back from them,” said Phang.
Apart from the memorandum to the FT Minister, the Save Taman Desa Coalition had also sent multiple letters to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), a memorandum to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commision (MACC) and even the prime minister.
When asked what could have been done prior to the condominium’s construction which is at the 13th floor to date, Phang said Khalid could have called for a stop-work order when he took office as minister to review the project, taking into account that the piece of land was gazetted as Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) reserved land and not residential land.
“He could have called for a review on the project.
“According to the KLCP 2020 (which Khalid had gazetted in 2018), the land was proposed to be gazetted as a green lung,” he added, referring to the Draft City Plan prior to its gazettement.
Commenting on the development, another resident Frank Yeh raised similar questions.
“There are so many questions which the government has yet to answer,” Yeh said.
Meanwhile, another resident who was one of the first few to alert surrounding neighbours about the collapse said the approval for The Address came as a surprise to Taman Desa residents.
The resident, who did not wish to be named, said he did not expect any building to be built right next to his current residence as the piece of land seemed quite small for any major development.
“When we received word that TNB no longer occupied that land, we thought that we could enjoy some greenery.
“That piece of land is quite narrow. We really did not expect anything to be built there.
“Our worry is now, whether the other side of the building might collapse and that would fall into our compound,” he said.
He currently resides in 1 Desa, which is a 13-storey condominium facing phase two of The Address which is where the collapse happened.
“We are not against development, but we are concerned over how development is done.
“Prior to the proposal of The Address, Taman Desa was already very congested.
“How is it that the government approved such a high density development in an already congested area?” he asked.
It has been previously reported that The Address will have 649 units in three blocks of between 34 to 42 storeys; this would increase density from 60 persons per acre to 650 persons per acre.
Since the Friday incident, the FT minister and Housing and Local Government minister have visited the development site, along with the Kuala Lumpur mayor.
Kok, who is currently abroad, has since posted a short update on her Facebook page indicating that she would correspond with DBKL and other government agencies regarding the incident.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/16/after-taman-desa-condo-collapse-residents-coalition-wants-govt-to-revisit-t/1837930
I suppose the "Kok" referred to is Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and below is her post on her Facebook page.
"I am in Europe for the palm oil lobby mission now. I am very concerned with this unfortunate incident in Taman Desa yesterday. I will follow up with DBKL and other government agencies closely."
https://www.facebook.com/TeresaKokSuhSim/
Hopefully she is not just talking kok.
Below are more articles.
Why only now, Pakatan Federal Territories Minister ????
Taman Desa condo slab collapse not due to landslide, says FT minister
Saturday, 15 Feb 2020 11:15 AM MYT
BY SOO WERN JUN
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 15 — Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad has clarified that yesterday’s slab collapse at The Address, a condominium project in Taman Desa, was not caused by landslide.
Khalid said the incident was likely the result of structural failure.
“It was not a landslide. The structure collapsed from the sixth to first floor. From the preliminary reports we have received, there is a huge possibility that the collapse could have been caused by the structure which was not strong enough,” Khalid told reporters at the Seri Perak people's housing project in Sentul today.
It was reported yesterday that part of The Address condominium, which is currently under construction, had collapsed at about 3.30pm during a heavy downpour.
Those living in the vicinity of the project alerted the authorities after hearing a loud crash.
Khalid said, however, the cause of the collapse would only be confirmed after investigations are carried out by appointed civil consultants by the project contractor, Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
“It could have been that the foundation of the building or the columns were not strong enough, it needs investigation.
“For now, a stop-work order has been enforced. No construction work will be done on site. Only those who are investigating the case will be allowed on site,” said Khalid.
He added that the parties involved in building the condominium would have followed design plans approved by DBKL.
“There is not such a thing as the contractor wanting to cut corners. There is no shortcut, nobody gains from such cases,” he said.
Khalid also explained that yesterday’s incident was an isolated case and not related to a previous one at the same site that was categorised as a safety issue.
On January 23, 2018, a crane toppled onto its side during construction and caused damage to an adjoining property, Tiara Faber Condominium.
The Address, a 202-unit, low-density residential project on a rise next to a public school, began construction at the end of 2017.
It has faced considerable resistance from Taman Desa residents who complained of noise pollution and of the developer ignoring construction conditions set by the DBKL.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/15/taman-desa-condo-slab-collapse-not-due-to-landslide-says-ft-minister/1837780
Yet another under-construction condo collapse
Published: Feb 14th, 2020 | Modified: 7:35 am
UPDATED 10.20PM | Added rescue of two victims and visit by Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin.
A portion of a high-rise building under construction in Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur collapsed this afternoon.
Properties and real-estate publication EdgeProp reported that the building is known as "The Address", developed by Maxim Holdings Sdn Bhd.
The Fire and Rescue Department, meanwhile, said the building had collapsed from the sixth floor down to the first floor.
They said they found two victims trapped under the debris but have managed to extricate both.
The first is a Bangladesh man, 37, who was transferred to the Hospital Kuala Lumpur to receive treatment in the red zone (critical zone).
Meanwhile, the second victim was removed from the first level of the collapsed building.
Rescuers had initially said they had trouble reaching the second victim because the collapsed building was still unstable.
In a later statement, the Fire and Rescue Department said the rescue operation was completed at 10.26pm.
This is after they confirmed that there were no other victims trapped inside the collapsed building.
Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin (photo, above) had visited the site of the incident where she was briefed on the situation.
If completed, The Address will have three towers with 30-storeys each on a narrow strip of land which was once Tenaga Nasional Bhd reserve land.
Taman Desa residents had once mounted a fierce campaign against the project because the reserve land was designated as a green lung under the Kuala Lumpur Master Plan 2020.
However, their protest was not heeded and their lawsuits against Kuala Lumpur City Hall were not successful.
This is the second time a partially built condominium in Kuala Lumpur has collapsed over the past year.
On June 25 last year, "The Pinnacle" in Sri Petaling saw a similar fate with the corridor of one level giving way.
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/510878
Taman Desa condo developer confirms slab collapse, says cause under investigation
Friday, 14 Feb 2020 08:59 PM MYT
BY IDA LIM
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 — The developer of The Address condominium project in Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur has affirmed a structure in the building gave way during construction earlier today.
In a statement on The Address’ official Facebook page, Maxim Holdings management also sought to assure its home buyers of its commitment to the development.
“Dear valued purchasers and concerned parties, we note your concern on the giving way of The Address 2 swimming pool slab (6th floor) during concrete casting as occurred this afternoon.
“Whilst we acknowledged the occurrence of the incident we must emphasis [sic] that the cause of the same is being investigated.
“We assure you that we are committed to ensuring the highest of building standard and the integrity of the development is of prime importance. We will spare no effort in ensuring our obligations under the SPA are fulfilled fully. Please have our assurance on that,” it said in the statement.
The project’s management team also said it will be providing updates in the coming days, and advised those with concerns or queries to seek clarification from the company’s staff.
The statement did not touch on reports of several individuals who were believed to be injured in the incident.
The incident was reported to have occurred about 3.30pm during a downpour.
Residents nearby the partially built condominium project alerted the authorities after hearing a loud crash, and feared several people may be buried under the debris.
KL Fire and Rescue Department chief Nordin Pauzi said two people were found trapped and managed to extricate one.
The man, a Bangladeshi man aged 37, was said to be seriously hurt and was sent immediately for treatment at Hospital Kuala Lumpur’s “Red Zone”.
Nordin added that rescuers were still trying to reach the second person who is trapped in a space under level one of the collapsed structure at the time of writing.
“With the cooperation of all parties, we have confirmed there is only one victim remaining. Rescuers are having a hard time due to the unstable condition of the building,” he said in a statement.
The Address, a 202-unit, low-density residential project on a rise next to a public school began construction at the end of 2017 and has faced considerable resistance from Taman Desa residents who complained of noise pollution and of the developer ignoring construction conditions set by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
This is not the first time the project has suffered construction problems.
On January 23, 2018, a crane toppled on its side during construction and caused damage to the adjoining property, Tiara Faber Condominium.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/14/taman-desa-condo-developer-confirms-slab-collapse-says-cause-under/1837674
Why only now, Pakatan Housing and Local Government Minister ????
Stop work for now, Zuraida tells Taman Desa condo builder after slab falls
Friday, 14 Feb 2020 10:57 PM MYT
BY DEBRA CHONG
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 — All construction work on The Address condominium in Taman Desa must stop with immediate effect, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said tonight after a concrete slab from the building’s sixth floor collapsed earlier in the day.
Two men were trapped underneath in the debris in the 3.30pm incident but have since been extricated and sent for emergency medical treatment, several news outlets reported.
“Alhamdulillah, our main task to save today’s victims is over. After this we will continue investigations to find out the case and such.
“This project will be stopped for a month pending the results of investigations by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health on the building structure,” Malay daily Harian Metro quoted Zuraida telling reporters of the construction site.
She said she will speak to Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad and the Department of National Housing about the incident tomorrow.
She gave an assurance that action will be taken after the investigation report.
A concrete slab that was part of the building’s swimming pool structure on the sixth floor reportedly crashed at about 3.30pm today, trapping two people underneath.
The first man, whom KL Fire and Rescue Deparment chief Nordin Pauzi said in a statement was a 37-year-old Bangladeshi, was extricated at about 5.15pm and rushed to Hospital Kuala Lumpur’s “Red Zone” for critical medical treatment.
The second person was unearthed at about 9.40pm, some five hours later, according to Harian Metro.
National news agency Bernama reported the second man to be also Bangladeshi, aged 26.
The Address, a 202-unit, low-density residential project on a rise next to a public school began construction at the end of 2017 and has faced considerable resistance from Taman Desa residents who complained of noise pollution and of the developer ignoring construction conditions set by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
This is not the first time the project has suffered construction problems.
On January 23, 2018, a crane toppled on its side during construction and caused damage to the adjoining property, Tiara Faber Condominium.
In a statement on The Address’ official Facebook page this evening, Maxim Holdings management acknowledged the incident and sought to assure buyers that it is committed to “ensuring the highest of building standard and the integrity of the development”.
“We will spare no effort in ensuring our obligations under the SPA are fulfilled fully. Please have our assurance on that,” it said in the statement.
It asked purchasers to contact their personnel for any clarification.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/14/stop-work-for-now-zuraida-tells-taman-desa-condo-builder-after-slab-falls/1837701
Yours truly
SELANGOR SCHEISS
