Soil movement tilts driveway of 20 houses
The Star 2/5/2005 By Esther Chandran

RESIDENTS of the Pandan Ria terrace houses in Pandan want the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) to check the soil settlement problem at their driveway and get it rectified before the problem worsened. 

Resident Yeoh Beng Hong, 52, said a gap had appeared between the wall and perimeter fencing with cracks obvious at the driveway area. 

He said half of the driveways had tilted and residents could not park their cars inside.  “We complained to the developer and they tried to rectify the problem but the gap is still showing between the wall and perimeter fencing,” he said. 

The soil movement affected about 20 houses, he said.  Wong Yi Ping, 32, has opted not to stay at his house as he feels it is not safe. 

“The metal gate at my driveway is now overlapping and cannot close.  “The developer came twice to repair the gate but problem is still there,” Wong said.  DAP Teratai Consumer Bureau chairman Khong Chee Seng said MPAJ and the developer had visited the affected homes on April 15. 

“MPAJ confirmed there was soil movement during the visit and we urge them to take a serious stand in this matter,” he said.  Khong said residents want the developer to furnish MPAJ with a report on the investigation and soil test on what had happened and why. 

“We also want the developer to list down ways to rectify the problem because earlier methods were not effective,” he said. 

Khong also said residents wanted a letter of undertaking from the consultant hired by the developer that the houses were safe for occupation and the problem could be rectified. 

He said in the case of serious rectification work, MPAJ should evict residents in batches to alternative housing with security guards hired to keep a watch over the homes. 

“The residents want the local authority’s assurance that they are looking into this problem.  “They want the developer and MPAJ to be transparent in their dealings with the residents,” he said. 

MPAJ Building and Architecture Department engineer Khairul Anizam Azman said the developer’s consultant had assured residents that the houses were stable and safe. 

“The housing project was built on an ex-mining area and there is some settlement at the front portion of the houses,” Khairul Anizam said. 

He said the developer, in an undertaking letter had agreed to reinforce and attach a main structure to tie with the reinforcement to prevent the driveway from sinking. 

“MPAJ will monitor their work and further monitor the houses for six months after the rectification work has been completed,” he said. 

Khairul Anizam said should the problem recur, consultant Kumpulan Ikram Sdn Bhd would be called in to investigate the matter.