SEVENTEEN homeowners along Jalan 2/92B in Taman Kobena, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, are having sleepless nights worrying that their double-storey houses might collapse following the appearance of cracks on the walls of their homes.

One of the owners, A. Shanta Anna, who spoke on behalf of the affected owners, claimed that small cracks started to appear three years ago after the piling works for the construction of an 18-storey apartment building commenced right behind their backyards.

She claimed the cracks later became bigger due to development works.

“Following that, I complained to City Hall last year but until now, no action has been taken,” she told reporters yesterday at her house.

Also present was Cheras Member of Parliament Tan Kok Wai.

She claimed owners also lodged countless complaints to the local authority.

Shanta said she last met with City Hall officials on May 18 this year, during which she was accompanied by Tan.

“Following the meeting, City Hall representatives inspected the houses. We were also told that we would be informed on the status of their investigations by the end of last month.

“However, until today, we have not received any news from City Hall,” said the 35-year-old administration officer of a private company in the city.

Shanta, who has been living there for the past 10 years, also claimed that the project developer is aware of the issue, but so far has not offered any solution to their predicament.

She claimed the impact from the piling works had not only caused cracks to appear on the walls of her house but it had also caused the back portion of her house to sink.

Fearing for her family’s safety, she had had to turn her living hall into their bedroom.

“Those living here are mostly senior citizens and children. Where are we to escape if an emergency occurs?” she asked.

Her immediate neighbour, businessman Suhaimi Mohamad, who was also present yesterday, said he had moved out of his house last year because of the problem.

“I lived here for only a year. When the cracks appeared, I had to move out for the safety of my family.

“The kitchen cabinets which I installed were severely damaged due to the impact of the piling works,” he claimed, adding that the cracks caused the kitchen to get flooded whenever it rains heavily.

Tan said he would bring up the owners’ predicament to Datuk Bandar Datuk Ruslin Hassan for a solution.

Comments from the developer and City Hall could not be obtained yesterday.