The collapsed fence and wall of one of the doublestorey bungalows in Kempas Baru which are affected by the construction work.

 JOHOR BARU: Some 45 residents are living in fear and having sleepless nights after their houses started developing cracks following construction work in Kempas Baru. 

The situation has worsened during the present rainy season; the cracks at the six affected homes are getting bigger and have even caused the owners to prepare to evacuate if necessary. 

The residents blame the incident on piling works for a retention wall built to separate the homes from the on-going project to build a boys home. 

Businessman Ng Kok Leong, 57, said the rear wall of his property collapsed together with the fencing three days ago. 

“Apart from the houses, the roads in the area have cracks,” he said, estimating his loss at RM10,000. 

Another affected resident Siva-kumar Sinnappan 34, who is working as an aviation inspector in Singapore said cracks had appeared all over his RM400,000 bungalow. 

“The homes shook each time they did the piling but we did not expect things to get this bad,” he said, adding that he would be moving out soon as he was worried for his family’s safety. 

Sivakumar said they had informed the contractor that their houses were cracking but were told that they would only carry out remedial works after the project was completed sometime next year. 

Sivakumar (centre) showing his friends the damage done to his house.

Sivakumar and the other residents have lodged police reports.