Homes on ex-mining pool cracking and sinking
The Star 28/2/2005 By VIVIENNE PAL

IN the 10 years she has lived at Taman Indah Perdana, Kepong, Yap Cheng Wat, 50, has watched large cracks appear on the walls and ceiling of her home, in addition to subsidence of the floors.  

Thinking it was a superficial problem, Yap had her house renovated three times, spending some RM60,000 in total.  

Yet, the problems persisted, forcing her to move out of her own home and into a rented house next door.  

Other residents of the 100-odd houses in Taman Indah Perdana, a former mining pool, have faced similar problems.  

DR Tan studying a crack which has appeared in the archway of the one of the homes.

“I sleep in fear every night wondering if the house would collapse. We have thought of moving out, but we cannot afford another house for the time being,” said Wong Kuan Moi, a resident since 1994. 

Taman Indah Perdana Residents Action Committee president Lim Man Fatt believes the problem lies not with the structure of the houses, but with the soil. 

“It is hollow under our houses, hence the subsidence and cracks. I have renovated my house a few times to patch up the cracks and irregularities, but the problems persisted.  

“Now I cannot even sell my house because nobody wants to buy it despite the facelifts,” he said.  

A crack as thick as a pen on the wall of one of the houses in Taman Indah Perdana,kepong. Cracks in houses in the area are believed to be due to sell subsidence.

Numerous complaints lodged by the Taman Indah Perdana Residents Action Committee and residents association representative to the local authorities and developer have fallen on deaf ears.  

“This problem has existed for 10 years. We have watched the cracks becoming bigger during that time.  

“We have lodged numerous complaints to the developer and the local council but no action has been taken,” said residents association representative Chin Thean Fatt. 

Chin said he had also written letters of complaint to the Housing and Local Government Ministry requesting for soil analysis to be done as well as compensation for the losses they had experienced over the years.  

“Why does it take so long for them to take action?” he asked.  

The distressed residents have since turned to DAP national deputy chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw for help.  

During a site investigation at the housing estate on Friday, Dr Tan, who is also Kepong MP, said he was lobbying for amendments to be made to the Uniform Building Bylaws 1984 to protect house buyers from problems resulting from bad construction.  

“I am asking that the by-laws include aspects of foundation, design, building material and other things concerning the construction of buildings because all over the country, there are people like these residents suffering from problems with their housing and other forms of construction,” said Dr Tan.  

Also present at the investigation were representatives from developer Kumpulan Hartanah Selangor Berhad, Selayang Municipal Council and consultant engineer Jurutera TSSC Lim Sdn Bhd.  

The investigation uncovered a gap measuring 18 inches below the floor of one of the houses. Long, large cracks were also discovered on the walls and ceilings of some residents’ homes.  

In a statement to The Star, Kumpulan Hartanah Selangor Berhad spokesman said subsidence had taken place in five houses, with the problem surfacing where the respective house owners carried out extension work.  

“The consultant engineer is analysing the possible cause of subsidence and will report their findings,” said the spokesman. 

Meanwhile, the Selayang Municipal Council have collected data and taken photographs and will be presenting a report to the Housing and Local Government Ministry within the week.