“There were no structural defects in the affected blocks,” said council president Datuk Abdul Karim Munisar after a meeting with the flat developers yesterday.
Abdul Karim said the council had asked the developer, Mentari Properties, to produce a report within a week on the cause of the collapse of the triangular gradient wall and rectification steps.
BIG CHUNKS: Portions of the wall which collapsed at the Desa Mentari flats during Friday's storm.
“We will then form a task force to investigate the incident after receiving the report,” he said.
Residents were given a rude shock on Friday when the gradient walls of Blocks B2 and B3 fell from the top floor after the 6.30pm downpour. No one was injured, but the incident caused damages to a car and three motorcycles parked nearby.
Ikram Groups Research Centre director Dr Ch’ng Guan Bee explained that the roof’s triangular gradient that collapsed, was the cosmetic side of the building which was a non-structural part.
“We will take actions to ensure that areas with potential falling objects are identified and cordoned off,” he added.
The two affected families had been placed in a hotel for two days before they are moved into vacant units at Block 3, said Mentari Properties managing director Chua Keng Hong.
“We will compensate the car and motorcycle owners, whose vehicles were damaged. The place is fully covered by insurance and we will admit liability if there was any liability,” he said.
Affected resident K. Saravanan, 33, said he feared for the lives of his family, especially his three young children.
“I’m thankful that the stones collapsed outwards and not into our rooms but I cannot stay here anymore. What if it happens again?” he said.
Desa Mentari Residents Association committee member, Harun Abdul Karim, 32, who lives in Block B1, said the residents paid the developers a RM45 monthly maintenance fee.
“The main issue is the safety of our lives and the building. I hope the authorities will take proper action before any other serious incident happens,” he said.