Residents of Apartment Permai in PJU 3 feeling jittery over wall collapse

Haniza Talha (left), Bandar Utama assemblyman Jamaliah Jamaluddin (black baju kurung) visited a major wall collapse at Apartment Permai in PJU 3, Petaling Jaya. - SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star

DEVELOPERS should not use the excuse that the warranty period has expired to evade responsibility when their development project is faced with a wall collapse or landslide, says Housing and Urban Living committee chairman Haniza Talha.

She said this after visiting the scene of a major wall collapse at the low and medium cost Apartment Permai in PJU 3, Petaling Jaya.

Also present were Bandar Utama assemblyman Jamaliah Jamaluddin and officers from the Petaling Jaya City Council.

The residents here have been living in fear since one of their retention walls collapsed in May.

.The repair cost was estimated to be RM1.5mil.

The apartment management does not have sufficient fund in their coffers and their insurance claims were rejected citing lack of supporting documents.

"The damage is worsening day by day and the land is exposed to rain. The residents said when it rains, the water gushes into the exposed soil and they worry the soil beneath their apartment will give way.

“I am not sure how long the land can be left unattended. The residents claimed the developers told them that the warranty terms have ended.

“The developer received the kebenaran merancang (building plan) and their plan must be safe and suitable for a long time, not just during the warranty period,” said Haniza who added that she would discuss the matter with the developer.

She said she would also bring the matter to the state finance committee to see if the repair cost could first be borne by the state due to the urgency.

“We have to sit down and discuss with the developer, the insurance company and all relevant bodies on this issue. It involves the safety of the residents here,” she said.

Resident Ina Fadzilan said a heavy rain on May 30 resulted in falling trees and the wall, which stretched for about 30m, to collapse.

The 10-storey apartment has about 342 units and is 13 years old.

“It all happened in a minute. We hope for the damage to to be repaired soon,” she said.- Star