Khalid: Taman Desa condo may not have followed specifications

Weak foundations or pillars which do not meet the specifications could possibly be the cause for the collapse of part of the structure of a 37-storey condominium under construction in Taman Desa, Jalan Klang Lama yesterday, said Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad.

“The building collapsed before it rained. It was not a landslide, the incident was before the rain," he said in a press conference after launching the "Kempen KITA" programme at Seri Perak Public Housing in Sentul today.

“Perhaps structural specifications were not followed, causing it to collapse from the sixth floor to the bottom.”

However, Khalid said, thorough investigations must be carried out to find out the real cause.

He said construction work at the site has been stopped with immediate effect to allow for the Department of Occupational Safety and Health to investigate.

Khalid also advised all developers not to use shortcuts in construction projects.

“In this matter, nobody wins. The developer should abide by all the procedures which have been set out,” he said.

In the incident, two Bangladesh nationals were reported trapped on the first level after the floor of the parking area on the sixth level collapsed during heavy rain at 3.40pm.

The first victim was rescued at 5.15pm while the second at 9.40pm. Both were taken to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for treatment. — Bernama