Help! Our homes are sinking!
Malay Mail 2/4/2005 NURADZIMMAH DAIM
KUALA LUMPUR: When Taman Pandan Ria residents received the keys to their
dream houses in March last year, they were elated.
However, their dream turned into a nightmare the day they moved into the
double-storey terrace house and found that the driveways have sunk,
leaving gaps in the middle.
Despite repairs by the developer, Pembinaan Sera-Tama Sdn Bhd, the gaps
grew by the day and the residents are worried they may find their cars
under the driveway one morning.
Resident Yeoh Deng Hong, 52, an engineer, said the problem cropped up the
day he got the house keys.
“I noticed cracks on the wall connected to the perimeter fencing and later
found gaps between them. I called the developer who sent workers to drill
holes and pumped cement in my driveway area,” said Yeoh.
“Since then, I have been monitoring the perimeter fences to see if there’s
any movement. The repair work did not help as the gaps grew bigger,” he
said.
Night market hawker Wong Yee Peng, 32, has yet to move in because of this
problem.
He said although the developer sent its workers three times following
complaints, the problem has yet to be rectified.
“I am so worried. We dare not move in as accidents can happen,” said Wong.
Businessman M.C. Alagindera, 51, said patching cement on the cracks is not
effective.
“They need to find a better way as the methods they are using are not
effective. I hope the authorities can look into this,” said Alagindera.
DAP Teratai’s consumer affairs bureau head Khong Chee Seng, who was
present yesterday, said it is best for officers from Ampang Jaya Municipal
Council (MPAJ) to check on the houses and determine if they are safe.
“We urge the council to investigate and hope the developer will come up
with reports on the damage for the residents and MPAJ,” he said.
Pembinaan Sera-Tama, when contacted, said the problem was due to soil
settlement under the driveway.
“We cannot repair all houses at the same time. It will take some time
before we can conduct repair work for all the affected houses,” said its
manager, E.S. Tan.
MPAJ urged the residents to send a formal complaint on the matter.
“We will then check with the developer on the action to be taken. We will
visit the houses as soon as possible,” said the spokesperson. |
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