The Rise owners let down by shoddy work

A buyer points out defects on a ceiling of The Rise condominium on Jalan SP Chelliah, Penang, to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today. (Bernama pic)

GEORGE TOWN: Purchasers of units at The Rise condominium on Jalan SP Chelliah here had been waiting eagerly to move into their properties, but when they received their keys last month, they were promptly let down.

Of the 952 unit owners who were supposed to move in, more than half have filed complaints with the developer on flaws and defects around the 1,048-unit condominium block.

Their complaints range from poor painting work and dirty flooring to stains on windows, cracks on doors, rusty doorknobs and debris strewn over the place, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said after a tour of the project today.

According to earlier reports, The Rise was being developed by the state government through a private developer, with prices ranging from RM72,500 for a 700 sq ft unit to RM400,000 for a 1,000 sq ft unit.

Chow, who is also the Penang Development Corporation (PPC) chairman, said complaints had been received from 500 purchasers.

He said 150 of the complaints had been rectified but the owners would be allowed to submit another letter of complaint to PDC should there be any further issues that needed to be resolved.

Bernama reported that during a tour of the 15th floor, bright stickers and markings were found scattered all over the corridor and units to indicate signs of defects.

It said there were uneven surfaces, broken tiles, cracked walls and ceilings, as well as doors that were made of different materials.

It quoted mechanic Henry Cheang, 33, who bought an 800 sq ft unit for RM200,000, as saying: “I expected much better than this… we shouldn’t be treated like poor people.”

Cheang showed reporters some of the large cracks on the ceiling of the parking lot. Part of the parking space for the disabled had been flooded.

Another owner, Syahirruddin Sanul Hamid, 29, said the wooden fire exit door on the sixth floor had holes in it and he later found out the holes had been poorly patched with cement.

“However, what is ridiculous is that I live at the far end of the condo but my letter box is on the other end,” Bernama quoted the government servant as saying. - FMT