20/09/2002 The Star

PENANG: The 289 purchasers of the abandoned housing project, Seri Semarak and Eternal Heights in Bandar Baru Air Itam, Penang, can now look forward to moving into their new homes in three years’ time. 

Eternal Eight Corporation Sdn Bhd general manager Saidi Kassim said construction work for the 1,306 low medium and medium-cost apartments was expected to be completed by then.  

“Although undertaking an abandoned housing project is a challenging task, we are not disheartened. We have managed to wrap up the revival details within three months,” he said during the re-commencement of work ceremony launched by Paya Terubong assemblyman Datuk Dr Loh Hock Hun at the project site recently.  

Also present were Eternal Eight Group of Companies director Ong Tai Chin, Penang Municipal Councillors Khoo Gaik Tee and Tang Heap Seng, representatives from various government departments and the ad-hoc purchasers committee. 

The project, consisting of four blocks of 13, 17, 19 and 22 storeys, and 10 shoplots, was abandoned since 1999 with only 30% of its earthwork completed. 

Standing on 5ha of land, the project also has recreational facilities such as swimming pool and tennis and badminton courts. 

The project is the second abandoned housing project in the Paya Terubong constituency to be revived.  

The first was the revival of Taman Terubong Jaya (Majestic Heights) Phase One on Aug 8. 

Saidi assured the purchasers that the company would recognise the 10% down payment of RM5,000 paid by them to the previous developer.  

He said the developer and the residents would establish joint accounts to ensure transparency in the management of sinking fund. 

In his speech, Dr Loh urged the purchasers to co-operate with the developer in ensuring the success of the project’s revival. 

“The Eternal Group is a reputable developer who has successfully completed various housing projects in Penang and Kulim,” he said, adding that he hoped other developers would also follow suit to set up joint accounts to ensure that the sinking funds were not misused. 

Ad-hoc purchasers committee chairman Nazim Mohd Yusoff urged all purchasers to register themselves with the committee at Dr Loh’s service centre in Jalan Paya Terubong from 8.30pm to 10pm every Wednesday. 

“So far, only 30% of the purchasers have registered with us and we need the others to come forward as soon as possible,” he said.