PENANG has set up an ad hoc committee to handle problems faced by residents of low-cost and low medium-cost high-rise flats on the island. 

The high-rise building control committee formed last month is chaired by Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Wong Mun Hoe. 

It will help forward problems faced by the residents to Penang Municipal Council for action. 

Wong said the committee would help handle pressing problems like the lack of parking space and traffic congestion faced by the flat residents. 

He gave an example where every four low-cost flats were allotted one parking bay. 

“This formula is not practical now,” he said. 

The committee, which held its first meeting last month, wanted the roads at high-rise flats to be wider and traffic on them be made to flow one way. 

“This is to prevent traffic jams and accidents especially where vehicles are parked on both sides of the road,” Wong told a press conference after a visit to Kampung Sungai Nibong Tengah recently. 

Wong said these and other suggestions were forwarded to the Penang Municipal Council three weeks ago for further action. 

“We hope that the local government will review the existing guidelines and bylaws to help minimise problems faced by residents now,” he said.