TAMAN Desa residents are demanding that an under-construction condominium that partially collapsed on Friday be torn down if deemed unsafe by authorities. 

“If there are structural issues, tear the whole damn thing down. Tear it down now,” Protect Taman Desa spokesman Phillip Phang told a press conference today.

A portion of the 35-storey The Address 2 condominium collapsed late Friday afternoon, injuring two workers. No fatalities were reported.

Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad said yesterday that a structural failure may be the cause of the mishap. Construction, with 54 months remaining, has been halted pending an investigation.

The group said this was not the first major incident, with a crane collapsing in January, last year at the adjacent The Address 1 building. No injuries were reported, although there was partial damage to a unit in the neighbouring 10-storey Tiara Faber condominium. 

“DBKL, we told you so. This was a disaster in the making,” Phang said in reference to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

“Did the relevant agencies conduct regular enforcement and audits of the project site? And how were adverse findings dealt with? 

“If indeed investigations reveal the partial collapse arose from structural failures and structural integrity of the entire building is compromised, the developer, including its directors must be made to ensure that whatever remaining be demolished immediately,” he said.

The developer said the collapse occurred while concrete casting was being carried out for the swimming pool on the sixth floor. 

The group wants the findings of ministry investigations be made public, with residents saying construction has been carried out “at a frantic pace.” 

“There must be total transparency without compromise. No stone must be left unturned. 

“Investigations must ascertain if the workers carrying out the construction work have been screened and certified for their competencies to carry out the construction works assigned. 

“It is obvious that foreign workers are deployed heavily by the contractor.” 

Phang added there have been over 90 other minor incidents since construction began in 2017, including falling objects and debris. 

“There have been a series of violations and near-misses at the (construction) site threatening the safety of nearby residents. 

“The concerns and protests have obviously fallen on the deaf ears of leaders, regulatory agencies and statutory body entrusted with and responsible for the well-being of the people for reasons known to themselves.” 

Residents have previously filed two judicial reviews against DBKL’s issuance of a development order without seeking residential feedback. The cases ended with the Court of Appeal ruling in favour of DBKL last year. 

Memorandums were also delivered to Khalid and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad soon after Pakatan Harapan swept into power in 2018, Phang said. 

He added residents have also sought a meeting with their MP Teresa Kok. 

“The present government has not gone far enough,” said the group’s committee chairman Muntas Ali. “They cannot keep saying they’ve inherited the filth from the previous government.” 

“The people should come first, not developers, not commercialisation.” – February 16, 2020.