RESIDENTS of Blocks D, E and F of the Pinggiran Batu Caves flats in Taman Seri Gombak fear that their flats will collapse if the developer does not carry out repairs on the cracks which have surfaced on the walls of the buildings.

They claim that the developer, Juru Bena Tenaga Sdn Bhd, has not done enough to rectify the structural damages even though they have highlighted the matter to the developer several times.


From left) Kan Fook Seng, 10, V. Thayalan, 11, and Muhamad Aliazhar Maarup, 10, checking on a collapsed corridor of Block E of Pinggiran Batu Caves flats on Sunday.

During a recent visit to Block E on Aug 8, Kepong MP Dr Tan Seng Giaw said cracks had developed on the buildings and the corridors over the past few years.

He said although it would be costly for the developer to rectify the structural damages, it was its responsibility to ensure the flats were safe.

“This is a multi-million ringgit project and you do not look after the building after you have built it. What is the logic?

“It is the developer’s responsibility to provide secure and safe housing. There must be something wrong if it keeps cracking and sinking.

“The developer probably thinks that the only way is to pull down and rebuild the flats,” he said.

Dr Tan said he had contacted the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) several months ago but the authority replied that it was contacting the engineer who was in charge of the project.

“I have reported to the council in January to assess the situation of the eight blocks of flats (in Pinggiran Batu Caves).

“The Housing and Local Government Ministry should also carry out its responsibility by visiting the area to assess the situation. I shall follow up regularly,” he said.

The MP also urged both the Malaysian boards of engineers and architects to scrutinise all work done by engineers and architects.

“It looks like they have not done an effective job for the Pinggiran Batu Caves flats. I have asked Malaysian Board of Engineers chairman Tan Sri Zaini Omar to set up a task force to look into the problems at Pinggiran Batu Caves and Taman Fadason in Jinjang Utara,” he said.

Dr Tan said he would visit the ministry’s enforcement department along with representatives from the flats on thursday and would bring the issue to the department’s attention.

Meanwhile, Dr Tan urged the residents not to dump rubbish into a monsoon drain in Jalan Pinggiran.

He said such irresponsible acts on the residents’ part would hamper efforts to set up their own management corporation if they received their strata titles.

“I do not want to see rubbish being dumped into the drain anymore.

“If residents continue to dump rubbish into the drain, how will you be able to manage your own management corporation one day?” he asked.