NATIONWIDE RENEWAL
THE authorities are gathering data with a view to rebuilding flats which are more than 30 years old.
THE full report on the safety of Block F of Taman Keramat Permai flats in Ampang Jaya, Selangor, will be ready by Thursday.
Gombak member of parliament Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, who is economic affairs minister, said Public Works Institute of Malaysia (Ikram), together with Z and A Consulting firm, needed to conduct more tests on the structure and soil beneath the five-storey block.
Z and A, said Azmin, was a consulting firm appointed by the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) to inspect the cracks, which appeared on the top two floors of the block.
“Ikram and Z and A will conduct more tests and investigate until Wednesday (tomorrow). All state agencies involved will conclude and give recommendations to the state government on the
next course of action the following day,” he said after visiting the block.
Azmin and Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin attended a technical briefing on the preliminary outcome of investigations conducted by Ikram and Z and A at the scene.
Selangor Housing and Urban Living Committee chairman Haniza Mohd Talha was present at the briefing conducted by Ikram principal engineer Fazlee Daud and Z and A managing director Dr Zulhkiple A. Bakar.
Azmin said based on the briefing, there was no significant movement involving the building, as well as soil beneath the 30year-old block, since preliminary tests were conducted on Saturday, a day after 118 residents from 37 families were evacuated from the building.
“This was concluded based on resistivity tests and total laser scanning to check the soil beneath the flats and possible movement of the building.
“More tests and continuous monitoring will be conducted to ensure the safety of residents here.”
Azmin refused to speculate on the safety of the structure pending the submission of the full report on Block F.
He, however, said upgrading works would be conducted on the affected block if the outcome of the report concluded that the building was safe for residents.
The cost of upgrading works, said Azmin, would be borne by PKNS since the corporation owned the flats’ title.
“We have identified at least two locations as temporary shelters. They are comfortable enough for the affected families, who cannot stay in their homes while upgrading works are being carried out.
“I have discussed with the PKNS chief executive officer, who agreed for the corporation to pay rental costs at the shelters.”
Azmin announced RM500 in financial aid for each of the 37 families.
He said 25 families were seeking shelter at the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council Hall, while the remaining families were staying with their relatives.
Fazlee said tests had been conducted since Saturday.
He said more tests would be conducted, including checks to identify whether there were cavities within the soil beneath the building.
Zulhkiple said initial checks showed that the building had moved less than a millimetre.
He said cracks appeared only on the right side of the block.
“If there is soil movement, the cracks will appear on the bottom level of the building.
“Our investigation will focus on whether there is a water tank on the building and other factors to identify the cause of the cracks through computer simulation.”