Umno HQ built before plan approval, claims MP

Tanjung MP Ng Wei Aik has questioned the previous Gerakan-led state government on why it allowed Menara Umno to be built before its building plan was submitted or approved.

"How can the state succumb to Umno and allow work to commence even before the building plan is submitted?" Ng asked at a press conference along Jalan Macalister, where a lightning rod from the top of the building had fell and killed two men when a violent gale hit Penang on Thursday.

Ng said the local council then had - on Dec 23, 1995 - issued the building contractor a special commencement of work, two years before the first building plan was submitted on July 31, 1997 and a modified plan sent out on Jul 24, 1998.

On Oct 1, the next year (1996), then Deputy Chief Minister Shariff Omar had visited the building, "endorsing" its construction even though a building plan had yet to be submitted, Ng noted.

"After that, former Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon issued a letter to state executive councillor Dr Teng Hock Nam to ask Teng why there had been a delay in completing the project," Ng said.

"In the letter, Koh had said he needed to report the matter to the then deputy prime minister and Penang Umno chief Anwar Ibrahim," he added.

When contacted, Teng said the incident was “a technical problem which happened during a natural disaster", where the architect and engineers could not have foreseen that it would fall at the time of construction.

"There are many other buildings with structures too, but as long as the architect is responsible and willing to pay the fine if they do not comply with the guidelines, procedures and building plan, it is acceptable," he added.

MP told not to 'play politics'

"We had strict and transparent guidelines and procedures during that time," he told Malaysiakini.

Teng, who is state Gerakan chairperson, said that the architect was an international renowned and prize-winning company, and who are popular for their international designs.

"What is Ng trying to achieve by asking this question? Let us be very frank, the 13th general election is over, don't play politics," Teng urged.

"What is more important is for the current government to ensure that this does not happen again in future," he added.

Teng said Ng (left in photo) was trying to give the impression that the previous state government had allowed the building to be built at the expanse of public safety just because Umno wanted it done quickly.

"This is very irresponsible and unnecessary. It is not good to create such hatred for the previous administration, especially in the family and friends of the victims who had already experienced such a tragedy.

"This should not be the present government's main job. In a tragedy like this, don't continue to harp on such things that can create hatred," he added.

Teng stressed that since the building was constructed almost 18 years ago, there was no point to ask him now if it had been properly done or not.

He wondered if the architect would still be responsible for such technical problems when the building had been constructed almost two decades ago.

Teng said Ng may not be aware of provisions in the local council to allow work to commence on buildings before the planning permission was sought.

"Just because work was allowed to commence before the building plan and permission, does not mean the structure is unsafe or not strong."