The Public Works Department (JKR) was ticked off yesterday for ignoring a directive to complete a retaining wall at the Taman Terubong Indah (Majestic Heights) Phase 1 housing project site in Penang.  

Paya Terubong assemblyman Datuk Dr Loh Hock Hun said nothing has been done although Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon had already instructed the department to start work.  

“Dr Koh had during a recent exco meeting, instructed the JKR to complete its work on the wall but they seem to be sitting on the matter,” he told newsmen after opening a consumer education seminar at a hotel yesterday . 

It was reported recently that purchasers of the housing project had demanded an assurance that the JKR would complete the retaining wall. 

They wanted that assurance from the state government to enable the issuance of the certificate of fitness (OC). 

In 1999, the state had said that it would spend RM1.2mil to take over remedial work from the Majestic Heights project developer to rectify part of Jalan Paya Terubong following a landslip. 

Dr Koh Tsu Koon was then quoted as saying that the JKR was directed to repair the slope and build a retaining wall immediately. 

Dr Loh said revival work to complete the housing project had started since last Tuesday. 

“If work on the wall does not commence now, it might affect the issuance of the OC for the project later,’’ he said. 

Launched in 1995, the project comprising 2,955 housing units, 55 shoplots and 22 light industrial units, is the country’s largest single abandoned housing project. 

The project hit a snag when the developer faced financial and management problems in 1998. 

On Oct 16, the High Court handed down an order for the developer to be wound up and Deloitte Kassim Chan was appointed the liquidator. 

Earlier in his speech, Dr Loh, who is also state Trade, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman, urged consumer club members to educate the people on their consumer rights.