WORK is under way to clear up the debris from the building that collapsed on June 3 along Jalan Lim Chwee Leong.
Komtar assemblymember Teh Lai Heng said the clearing-up work started on June 5 after a joint site inspection and meeting between the Heritage Department, Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) and architect and consulting engineers representing the owner.
For now, only clearing works on the pavements and carriageway are being done.
Clearing the internal part of the building will only commence after safety measures have been taken on the remaining structures.
This includes placing of scaffolding at No. 204 and steel shoring at the wall adjacent to house No. 202.
The clearing works were done by the contractor engaged by the owners and are scheduled to be completed by June 12.
All costs will be borne by the building owners.
“We have also conducted checks on found there are some 73 abandoned buildings in Georgetown. Fifty-two buildings have been issued notices under Section 83 of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, which requires the owners to clear up the premises and secure it immediately .” Teh said.
In the June 3 incident, some overhanging branches from nearby trees crashed on the building, causing parts of it to collapse.
“After the investigation, we found the front facade and the interior walls had collapsed after some tree branches crashed on the building structure.” said Teh.
Teh asked the owners of such buildings to submit their plans to the MPPP for renovation to be undertaken immediately.
The building collapsed due to lack of maintenance by the owners and the condition was made worse by trees growing inside these buildings, thus damaging their structure.
“The council will step in if the owners fail to take action within two weeks,” said Teh.
“These properties are stated as part of Penang’s heritage structures and the owners must take measures to preserve them.”-EJ-
