Builders told to heed regulations
Developers, contractors reminded to stop causing public distress, property damage

PENANG will take stern action against developers and contractors who fail to adhere to regulations.

Penang infrastructure and transport committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said action such as stop-work orders and fines would be taken against any violations that cause public disturbances.

He was responding to a question by Connie Tan Hooi Peng (PH-Seri Delima) who raised concerns over disturbances caused by the construction of the Air Itam-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass (Package Two) in her constituency in recent months.

Zairil said stern warnings had been issued to the project developer to comply with regulations.

Zairil has been keeping monthly tabs on the bypass project to ensure developers meet regulations protecting the public.

“Any non-compliance found may result in immediate stop-work orders or fines being issued,” he said during the state assembly sitting.

Zairil added that he had been chairing a monthly progress meeting to keep tabs on the project.

On May 22, the design-and-build contractor for the bypass project, Consortium Zenith Construction (CZC) Sdn Bhd, was slapped with a stop-work order for failing to comply with regulations after it was found to be working on public holidays, which were outside permitted hours.

The works done during this period were not for mitigation-related matters.

To another question by Joseph Ng (PH-Air Itam) on measures taken to prevent flash floods along Lebuhraya Thean Teik near the project site, Zairil replied that the issue had been addressed by the developer.

Tan raised concerns over disturbances caused by the bypass construction, during the state assembly sitting.

“I was informed that the sedimentation ponds have been deepened and additional ones have been constructed to mitigate this risk.

“The developer will also be responsible for post-flood cleaning works,” he said.

Last month, two condominium blocks in Island Park, located next to the RM850mil Air Itam bypass construction site, were damaged by debris from blasting works.

In the incident, soil and debris flew into the condominium compound, damaging property and several vehicles.

Ng asked about measures taken to prevent flash floods near the Lebuhraya Thean Teik project site.

The construction work has also affected several houses nearby, especially when it rained, as work site residue flowed into the neighbourhood compound.

The bypass project is set to shorten the current 40-minute drive between the densely populated Bandar Baru Air Itam and the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway to under 10 minutes upon completion next year.

Package Two comprises three interchanges, namely Interchange One (at Lebuhraya Thean Teik), Interchange Two (Jalan Bukit Gambir-Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah) and Interchange Three (Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway), which will involve a left-in left-out junction and an elevated U-turn.

The scope of the plan also includes upgrading the drainage system and existing roads in the project area and utility relocation work.
PENANG will take stern action against developers and contractors who fail to adhere to regulations.