Jittery over development next door

By Danny Ooi, GEORGE TOWN

MORE than 150 residents of Pintasan Kenari in Sungai Ara here are having sleepless nights over an ongoing housing project in their backyard.

They claimed that the project, which commenced earth works in May this year, did not provide sufficient safety measures, thus compromising residents' safety.

Retiree Ooi Lian See, 60, said the residents strongly urge the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) to enforce all safety guidelines for the project.

She said the high retaining wall, standing at 10 metres, created fear and anxiety among the residents.

"All this is causing us sleepless nights and giving us stress.

"We fear the wall will collapse on us," she said when met at the site here yesterday.

Also present to hear the residents out was Sungai Pinang assemblyman Koid Teng Guan.

Ooi claimed that the distance between the retaining wall and the back wall of the affected houses was only about 1.8 metres.

"The wall should have been built at least 10 metres away. At least if it collapses, there will be a safety buffer," she added.

Ooi also said the current sewerage system was insufficient to accommodate the increase in population brought about by development in the area.

"It has been a nightmare for us as the sewerage pipes overflow several times a year, discharging sludge and faeces and posing a health hazard to us," she added.

Fellow resident Ooi Kean Leng, 51, a carpenter, shares Ooi's sentiment.

Kean Leng claimed the new development project had caused cracks on the walls and floor of his house, beams to be separated from walls, and muddy water to flow into his house and damage his furniture. It also left stains on his wall and floor tiles.

"We also have to bear with the noise and air pollution because the construction work is carried out seven days a week," he added.

On Wednesday, the residents handed in their complaint letters to MPPP president Patahiyah Ismail, with a copy sent to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and state Local Government and Traffic Control Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow.

The residents urged the authorities to issue a stop-work order until all issues have been resolved.

A meeting has been scheduled between MPPP and the developer soon to address the issues faced by the residents.


(Source: http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/jittery-over-development-next-door-1.25798, dd 31-December, 2011.)