By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, April 29: Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen has chided the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) for the delay in addressing the structural integrity of shophouses at Lorong Datuk Tawi Sli, 3 ½ Mile, Jalan Penrissen here.
Chong revealed that the issue, which dates back to the last federal general election, has now escalated as shop owners have grown frustrated with the authorities’ lack of action.
“There are 11 shophouses along that road, and there are many cracks in the walls and beams inside, as well as collapsed floors, posing a risk to shop owners and the general public.
“So basically, the shop owners are concerned about the structural integrity of the shophouses, and they have raised that concern with MPP,” he told reporters during a press conference held today at the Democratic Action Party (DAP) headquarters here.
According to Chong, who is also the chairman of the Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP), shop owners of Lot 1603 to 1611 Block 218 KNLD have taken the initiative to hire engineering consultants for a Building Integrity Report.
He claimed that during the assessment last December, it was discovered that certain structures or parts of the building are cracked and, therefore, unsafe to use.
Chong further expressed disappointment that, despite submitting a Building Integrity Report to the council in February, MPP has yet to make a final decision.
“MPP, as the authority empowered by the Sarawak Buildings Ordinance (SBO) 1994, has the power to issue notices to shop owners where the building’s structural integrity was in question, either to demolish the building or to order some repair work to be done on it.
“The report has been submitted to MPP, and we are still waiting for their follow-up action.
“As a result, I call on MPP to take immediate action to assist shop owners in resolving building structure issues,” he added. — DayakDaily
