“Residents of block H are the worst affected, they first noticed
that the building was tilting a few years after they moved in about
23 years ago.
“When we walk along the corridors, we feel as if we are losing
our balance, one sign that the floor is not even.
“Another tell-tale sign is the door. Over the years residents had
been adjusting the size of their doors because of the difficulty in
closing them due to the gradual sinking,” he said.
He also said the residents were worried that the nearby RM209mil
Bayan Baru elevated Highway project would further aggravate the
situation.
“Even before the flyover was completed residents could feel their
furniture shaking when large trucks pass by.
“How can they sleep when their beds shake every time a heavy
vehicle passes by?” he asked.
He was accompanying Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Wong Mun Hoe and
officers of the Penang Municipal Council, PDC subsidiary Pedeco
Management Sdn Bhd and the JKR who visited the housing area
yesterday.
Mun Hoe said Ikram was engaged by PDC to study the sinking
problem. “The report indicated that the building is safe for
occupation.
“But the residents are still afraid. The problem is not imagined,
it is genuine and therefore warrants serious attention,” he said.
He said the residents appreciated the measures taken by PDC and
Pedeco on complaints about the sewer system caused by the sinking
problem.
“But those were all short-term remedies. PDC must find a
permanent solution because the residents need peace of mind as they
fear for their lives.”
Asked if the ongoing second phase of the Bayan Baru elevated
highway project nearby was aggravating the problem, he said the
project developer Sri Meraga Constructions Sdn Bhd was monitoring
the situation.
“Early last month, the project developer stopped the hammer
piling method hours after we alerted them that the building was
shaking because of the piling works.
“They are now using the bore piling method although it was
costing them an additional RM6.5mil,” he said.
Bayan Baru MP Wong Kam Hoong said PDC must provide a long-term
solution. “PDC must ensure that the building is absolutely safe for
occupation. If there is any imminent danger, the residents should be
warned.”
Wanita Umno Mahsuri branch chief Fatimah Din, 61, also a
resident, said residents hoped the PDC would tear down the building
and provide them with alternative homes.
“We fear tthe building may one day collapse. We want peace of
mind. We do not want to live in fear,” she said.
Pedeco general manager Nasem Naik said he would forward the
residents’ grievances to the PDC.
An Ikram engineer confirmed a study was conducted two years ago
to gauge structural safety.
“We have submitted the report to the PDC.,” he said.
