Shut over 2 years, offices rented from Penang govt ruined by termites

 

Several tenants at the Penang state government-owned Caring Society Complex at Jalan Utama, George Town suffered losses when their office furniture and electronic items were attacked by termites.

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) renting the offices there were denied entry for the last two and a half years since the Covid outbreak in March 2020.

As such, they were not aware of the termite attack on their units.

Penang Hindu Association president P Murugiah said all their office furniture was eaten up by termites and they need to buy new furniture to continue their operations there.

“We urge the complex management or the state government to pay compensation for the new furniture and office equipment to continue our operations.

“We also want the relevant authorities to conduct regular checks and maintenance on the building structure to detect other serious damages to the building structure and management should ensure that treated anti-termite wood is used to replace the damaged materials,” he said.

NGOs renting the office units there were told to remove their belongings yesterday for pest control works to commence.

Also known as Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang, it is located next to the state governor’s residence and has been used for weddings, community events, and gatherings of NGOs.

Penang state executive councillor for Environment and Welfare Phee Boon Poh when contacted said the complex was converted into a Covid-19 low-risk treatment centre in April 2020.

It was later upgraded to a Covid-19 high-risk treatment centre, he said, and tenants were not allowed into the building for safety reasons.

“So, the termite attack came to light when the complex was opened to tenants. I have submitted an initial report to the state executive council meeting and the state has given an exemption for the rental over the period of two and a half years.

“We have yet to decide over the compensation to the tenants. However we want the tenants to submit a report to the building management on their losses,” Phee said. - Mkini