Residents and businessmen call for stop-work order

The Star 3/5/2004 By ESTHER CHANDRAN

THE Federal Territory Ministry will study a memorandum on the occurrence of sinkholes, cave-ins and cracks at 2 1/2 Mile Jalan Cheras, attributed to the construction of the Storm Water Management and Road Tunnel (SMART). 

Ministry parliamentary secretary Yew Teong Look received the memorandum from Federal Territory MCA public services and complaints bureau chairman Lee Boon Kok who represented residents and businessmen from the area at a meeting at Wisma MCA on Wednesday. 

Yew said the ministry was concerned over the problems raised by the affected parties and promised to find a solution to the matter. 

However, he declined to comment on whether the aggrieved party’s demand that a stop-work order be issued to halt the project could be agreed upon. 

Yew said he had received feedback that precautionary measures had been taken by MMC Engineering Group Berhad-Gamuda Berhad Joint Venture (MMCEG-Gamuda JV), the concessionaire for the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) project. 

Lee (in white) presenting the memorandum from residents and businessmen in Jalan Cheras to Yew at Wisma MCA on Wednesday.

“We have held meetings in the ministry to discuss the matter a few times and we want the project to proceed as smoothly as possible. 

“We are also concerned about the problems faced by residents as a result of the project,” he said. 

Lee said the affected parties felt that SMART had not effectively dealt with their problems, as sinkholes and cracks kept re-appearing. 

“They (residents and business operators) want the government to issue a stop-work order so that the company can resolve the occurrence of sinkholes and cracks and assure the people living in the surrounding area of their safety,” Lee said. 

Lee questioned if the government was aware of the potential threat posed to those living or trading in the area while the project was carried out. 

“The people want pro-active measures to be taken and an assurance that they will be able to live in a safe environment,” Lee said. 

The SMART project involves tunnelling and underground works at a 11.5km stretch. 

The project, comprising a storm water tunnel to alleviate flooding and a motorway to relieve traffic congestion, is designed to prevent flooding in Kuala Lumpur. 

Apart from Jalan Cheras, ncidences of sinkholes, cave-ins and cracks have also occurred at the Ixora Apartments in Jalan Tun Razak, Sekolah Pendidikan Khas Cheras, SRK Convent and SMK Convent Jalan Peel and the All Saints' Church in Jalan Keledek.