A STOP-work order will remain in place for a housing project facing structural issues in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur.
However Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has allowed the developer, J. Satine to carry out soil investigation work around the building’s exterior to gather new data for further analysis.
DBKL clarified all other construction activities will continue to be suspended until Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif is satisfied with the findings in a detailed report.
"Soil investigation started on Dec 30, last year. DBKL will lift the stop-work order once the mayor is satisfied with the findings," said DBKL in a statement.
The stop-work order on Nov 9 last year was prompted by a complaint received on Nov 7 from PPR Wangsa Sari residents regarding an explosion that allegedly occurred at the construction site.
The explosion was reportedly caused by a structural failure in Block C of the development. Upon investigation, DBKL discovered cracks in the structure's shear walls, columns, and floors, with additional damage found on units located on the 8th floor and above.
As a result, DBKL issued the stop-work order to the project consultants.
Following the incident, DBKL established a committee for the evaluation and monitoring of private projects involved in building damage incidents during construction. The purpose of this committee is to assess and monitor the findings of safety and stability reassessment reports under Section 70B(2) of the Street, Drainage, and Building Act 1974. These reports are submitted by independent certified engineers and project consulting engineers appointed by the developer.
"For the J.Satine development, the developer has appointed an independent consulting engineer to conduct a thorough investigation and inspection of the overall structural integrity, including the foundation and the surrounding site where the building is under construction.
"The independent consulting engineer submitted the first interim report on Dec 30 2024. However, the mayor was not satisfied with the report, as it lacked detailed analysis and comprehensive findings and did not meet the required reporting standards.
"To date, we have not yet received a complete report from the project consulting engineer and the independent consulting engineer," DBKL said.
