'Property buyers should check on the building quality, says Kayveas

Malay Mail 18/4/2002

On a stormy day some middle-class homes are no longer safe as the roofs may be ripped off, causing damage to surrounding properties, including vehicles parked nearby.

Can anything be done to remedy this problem?

"In Malaysia, we are lucky we do not experience major natural disasters," said Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Datuk M. Kayveas when reached for comment yesterday.

"But we do have flash-floods, heavy rain and also problems of roof tiles being blown away, leaving many 'roofless' in their own homes.

"This goes on to show that the structures of our buildings are of poor quality. Developers and contractors should have buildings with stronger foundation and quality finishings and workmanship."

Last Sunday, six cars and several units in Block 21 of the Taman Bukit Angkasa Apartments at Jalan 7-112A in Pantai Dalam were damaged after a heavy downpour struck areas around the city that afternoon.

The hour-long thunderstorm, which started around 3.30pm, caused the apartments' roof tiles to fly off, damaging six parked cars nearby.

Responding to this, Kayveas called on all developers to design buildings not only for the current weather condition but buildings which will be able to withstand any weather conditions.

When asked if the Ministry would take action against developers who does shoddy work, he said: "It is impossible for the Ministry officers to check each construction work taking place in the country, as there are just too many of it. Instead, the property buyers should check regularly on the quality of their property.

"If they find that the developers are not doing a good job, they ought to complain to the local authority. House Buyers Association (HBA) or to the Ministry for further investigation.- By Sushma Veera