HUGE cracks have appeared on the walls of 17 houses in Taman Kobena, Cheras, and the owners fear that the roofs will collapse.

The owners claimed that the cracks and uneven floor were caused by piling works for the construction of an 18-storey apartment building that started three years ago.

The 17 houseowners with copies of letters of complaint made to City Hall. The apartment building is in the background.

One of the owners, A. Shanta Anna, 35, said the small cracks started to appear three years ago during the construction of apartments.

“Now the cracks are about two inches wide and very visible in all the three bedrooms. As we fear for our safety, we sleep in the hall.

Tan (left) and Shanta pointing at the crack in the latter’s house.

“Looking at the size of the cracks, the roof or wall in any of the three bedrooms mostly located upstairs could collapse anytime,” said Shanta, a resident here for more than 10 years.

She said she had sent countless complaints to City Hall but until today, no action had been taken.

Shanta and the other houseowners gathered at her house to highlight their problem to the press last Saturday. Also present was Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai.

“I last met City Hall staff on May 18. Following the meeting, they inspected the houses and gave assurance that they will get back to us by the month's end. Until today, there is no reply from City Hall.

Suhaimi Mohamad, who owns the house beside Shanta's, said he moved out last year due to the problem.

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

“After buying this house, I bought new kitchen cabinets that cost RM8,000 and spent RM18,000 to renovate the kitchen. Now, my kitchen cabinets have fallen apart and the kitchen gets flooded whenever it rains heavily,” he said.

Tan said he would bring up the owners' predicament to Datuk Bandar Datuk Ruslin Hassan and find a solution.