jeffooi
17-11-2002, 10:20 PM
NEW SUNDAY TIMES
Sunday, November 17, 2002
<font size="+1">Panel to check derelict buildings</font>
Annie Freeda Cruez
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16: A Cabinet Committee has been set up to look into the safety aspects of hundreds of abandoned commercial buildings, many of them high-rise, in the country and recommend the remedial measures to be taken.
Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, who announced this today, added that the committee would determine the exact number involved, the dangers posed by these incomplete buildings and how many have adhered to safety measures.
"The Cabinet decided recently to set up the committee following numerous complaints by the public on the dangers these buildings posed," he said.
The committee is headed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Ong said.
<img src="http://www.usj.com.my/usjXpress/getdata.php3?table=usjXpress&id=301" align="left"> <--- ABANDONED PROJECT... An eye-catching landmark in USJ21...
The New Straits Times yesterday highlighted the dangers posed by these abandoned commercial buildings on passers-by and vehicles as their condition deteriorates.
Many of these buildings have rusting tower cranes on the top which are in danger of toppling over.
Besides being an eye-sore, many of these buildings do not have adequate safety measures resulting in falling metal and materials causing injuries to passers-by and damaging vehicles.
Abandoned buildings also pose a health hazard as they become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, besides turning into hideouts and shelters for drug addicts and vagrants.
Ong said the committee needs to look into these problems as the commercial buildings are not governed by the Housing Developers' Act but they come directly under local authorities.
"Dompok has been given the task by the Cabinet to call the local authorities to discuss the problems posed by these abandoned buildings," he said.
For a start, he said, the committee would hold discussions with Kuala Lumpur City Hall as many of these abandoned buildings are in the city.
He added that this would be followed by further meetings with other local authorities.
The committee will submit its findings and recommendations to the Government for further action. This will include the measures to be taken for those abandoned buildings that cannot be saved.
Ong said that local authorities which approved the construction of these commercial buildings are responsible for ensuring that safety measures are taken.
He added that when these buildings were abandoned, they also have to ensure that the safety measures were in place to avert any possible disaster or tragedy.
FULL STORY:
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/National/20021117083541/Article
Sunday, November 17, 2002
<font size="+1">Panel to check derelict buildings</font>
Annie Freeda Cruez
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16: A Cabinet Committee has been set up to look into the safety aspects of hundreds of abandoned commercial buildings, many of them high-rise, in the country and recommend the remedial measures to be taken.
Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, who announced this today, added that the committee would determine the exact number involved, the dangers posed by these incomplete buildings and how many have adhered to safety measures.
"The Cabinet decided recently to set up the committee following numerous complaints by the public on the dangers these buildings posed," he said.
The committee is headed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Ong said.
<img src="http://www.usj.com.my/usjXpress/getdata.php3?table=usjXpress&id=301" align="left"> <--- ABANDONED PROJECT... An eye-catching landmark in USJ21...
The New Straits Times yesterday highlighted the dangers posed by these abandoned commercial buildings on passers-by and vehicles as their condition deteriorates.
Many of these buildings have rusting tower cranes on the top which are in danger of toppling over.
Besides being an eye-sore, many of these buildings do not have adequate safety measures resulting in falling metal and materials causing injuries to passers-by and damaging vehicles.
Abandoned buildings also pose a health hazard as they become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, besides turning into hideouts and shelters for drug addicts and vagrants.
Ong said the committee needs to look into these problems as the commercial buildings are not governed by the Housing Developers' Act but they come directly under local authorities.
"Dompok has been given the task by the Cabinet to call the local authorities to discuss the problems posed by these abandoned buildings," he said.
For a start, he said, the committee would hold discussions with Kuala Lumpur City Hall as many of these abandoned buildings are in the city.
He added that this would be followed by further meetings with other local authorities.
The committee will submit its findings and recommendations to the Government for further action. This will include the measures to be taken for those abandoned buildings that cannot be saved.
Ong said that local authorities which approved the construction of these commercial buildings are responsible for ensuring that safety measures are taken.
He added that when these buildings were abandoned, they also have to ensure that the safety measures were in place to avert any possible disaster or tragedy.
FULL STORY:
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/National/20021117083541/Article