‘No defects’ after tremors
The Star Penang 29/12/2004

Apart from minor plaster cracks at the interconnecting corridors of a two-block apartment at Batu Lancang, no serious cracks were reported at high-rise buildings in Penang, said state JKR director Datuk Dr Ashaari Mohamad. 

He said department engineers had inspected 26 highrise buildings including hotels and apartments along the island's coastline, seven highrises in Air Itam, and another 14 in Bayan Lepas. 

“There were no defects resulting from Sunday's tremors,” he added. 

On rumours that the Sosco building in Butterworth was affected, he said checks on the building showed no damage. 

He was speaking to reporters after briefing Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu at the Penang International Airport yesterday. Also present was Malaysian Highway Authority deputy director (technical) Datuk Ghazali Md Noor. 

Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd also gave a preliminary assessment report to show that the tremors had not affected the Penang Bridge and an independent study by Ikram Research Centre also confirmed its findings. 

Ikram's technical director Dr Ch'ng Guan Bee said forensic observation showed there was no indication of movement of any component of the bridge and no sign of structural distress. 

PBSB senior manager Suhaina Baharudin said the bridge's middle span was installed with twin bearings beneath the bridge that would trigger off a siren if there were structural movements. 

They also had a SoundPrint System installed at the suspension cables that would capture data should there be any movement.