Panel on abandoned buildings

The Star 17/11/2002 By Audrey Edwards

PETALING JAYA: A Cabinet committee has been formed to check on problems posed by abandoned commercial buildings, including high-rise ones, some of which are proving to be a safety hazard. 

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said the committee, chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, would initially target buildings in Kuala Lumpur. 

He was asked to comment on the problem of hundreds of abandoned high-rise buildings in the country, which had become a danger as their conditions deteriorated. 

It had been reported recently that most of these buildings had rusting tower cranes which were in danger of toppling over. The buildings and equipment were corroding and in a worsening state. 

People have also been hit by falling metal and materials from the abandoned buildings. 

Ong said discussions would begin with City Hall officials soon to find ways to deal with the problem, as such commercial projects were outside the purview of the Housing Development Act. 

He said it was currently up to local authorities, town councils or City Hall to take action against the developers. 

“(Action) can be taken by local authorities as they approve the building plans. If City Hall approved the building plans, then it has to see what it can do about it,” he told reporters yesterday after opening the “World of Chinese Books 2002” at the Malaysia International Exhibition and Convention Centre.  

“If there is any danger, then the local authorities should take action because the safety of the people is also governed by them. They (local authorities) are responsible to the state government and for the safety of the people,” he added. 

Ong also said that these authorities and other departments should run checks on such projects and step up enforcement.  

For residential high-rise buildings, action can be taken under the Housing Development Act. 

Commercial buildings include service apartments and shophouses. 

On the issue of abandoned housing projects, Ong said there were more than 100 projects being considered by the ministry and Syarikat Perumahan Negara for revival. 

“Some of these projects have been left too long while some have not even started (construction). And there are housebuyers who are no longer interested,” he said. 

There were 526 abandoned housing projects since 1983, of which 300 had been revived so far.  

Another 59 had been handed over to SPN for revival.