RESIDENTS of Jalan Meru, off 3rd Mile Jalan Kelang Lama, are questioning the legality of a development project in Taman Desa that is bordering their neighbourhood.

Their main concern is safety as they have been living in constant fear for the past  few months since the project started.

Residents are worried that a landslide may occur at the back of their houses if there were to be a downpour.

A recent accident at the construction site, where a concrete slab collapsed killing one person and injuring several others, have further increased their fears.

Resident W.F. Chow said a retaining wall that was built around the project site had started to crack and was now slanting.

"It's just too close for comfort. This spot is supposed to be a cuI de sac but now there'll be mud slides every time it rains," he said.

Another resident K.G. Lim, whose backyard has suffered damage due to the mudslides, is furious that nothing is being done to safeguard their safety and interest.

"To me as a layman the construction looks dangerous and there's only that wall separating us and even that is developing cracks.

"We don't want a repeat of the Highland Towers tragedy," said Lim.

The residents also question the fact that there seem to be, no information regarding the project.

"There is no City Hall signboard providing information on the project and other details like telephone numbers. We have been left in the dark about it," said Chow.

"We need to know whether the building is structurally able to withstand wear and tear. It's like a nightmare living in fear like this," Lim added.

A group of them sought help from Seputeh MP Teresa Kok on the matter. Kok and her personal assistant Khong Chee Seng had visited the area several times to check on the matter.

According to Khong, residents are demanding for an official report either from Institut Kerja Raya Malaysia (IKRAM) or City Hall regarding the status of the project.

"Has the project got the necessary approval and complied with local by-laws? These questions need answers and it is only fair that the residents get them," Khong said.

Khong, who is DAP National Consumer Affairs Bureau secretary, added that the developer was recently slapped with several summonses for not following proper procedure.

"We will be meeting City Hall officials soon to gather more information on the project and hopefully set residents mind at rest," said Khong.

Khong added that residents should have been informed about the project before it even started so that they could voice their objections.

"Perhaps they are waiting for another tragedy to occur before they do so," he said. When contacted, project developer Mampu Jaya Sdn Bhd said they were conducting their own internal investigation on the accident.

A company staff, who wish to be known only as Marilyn, said the company would be calling for a press conference once the investigation had been completed.