Ground still moving at Taman Kerama Permai Flats, full report expected Monday (April 29)

 AMPANG JAYA: Ground movement is still active beneath Block F of the Taman Keramat Permai Flats, where 222 occupants were evacuated Friday (April 26) after cracks were found in the building.

Selangor Mentri Besar Amirudin Shari said a forensics team from the Public Works Department (JKR) and Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) had placed props and sensors to determine the cause of the cracks and structural damage as well as track ground movement.

"Three agencies - the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ), JKR and the Institut Kerja Raya Malaysia (IKRAM) under PKNS - had conducted visual and physical inspections.

"Suitable props and sensors were put in place by JKR and PKNS to determine the cause and structural damage as well as ground movement, which is still active.

"The technical team will carry out a study and investigation into the matter and preliminary findings or an early conclusion will be out in three days (on Monday, April 29)," Amirudin told reporters after visiting block F here Saturday (April 27).

He said the three agencies involved will also provide reports every two hours on whether there were any ground movements or new cracks.

The Fire and Rescue Department had found 10 long cracks on the building on Friday (April 26) after fearful residents called the authorities for help, said Amirudin.

"It was the first such incident reported by the residents of Block F. The movement of the cracks became aggressive on Friday when usually, it would be slow," he said.

Amirudin said that based on raw observations, the building seemed to be tilted towards a certain direction and the position of the cracks were consistent on every floor of the five-storey building.

"But this is based on raw visual observation. We still need to wait for the conclusion," he said.

If the agencies on Monday (April 29) verified that there was still ground movement and cracks that could cause the building to collapse, said Amirudin, the PKNS has agreed to restore the land and building for it to be liveable again.

"Based on experience, this would take between four to six months. But we need to get the early conclusion on Monday (April 29) first before we know what is needed," he said.

Amirudin also assured that if it came to this, PKNS was prepared to provide temporary homes and rental payment for all affected occupants while repairs were underway.

There were also no complaints of cracks at other blocks at the Taman Keramat Permai Flat here so far, said Amirudin.

Out of the 222 occupants or 37 families affected, only 12 families decided to stay at SMK Taman Keramat, which is functioning as temporary shelter for the evacuees.- Star