KUALA LUMPUR – The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will be conducting a safety audit at the Megah Rise Mall following yesterday’s ceiling collapse incident.
Speaking to Scoop, MBPJ’s Zone 6 councillor Sakinah Bibi Nagoor said the development is still under the defect liability period, with the developer required to submit an incident report.
“MBPJ will conduct a safety audit once they receive the developer’s report, which is scheduled tomorrow.
“MBPJ will also obtain a report from an independent consultant thereafter,” she said.
Sakinah said she was first made aware of the incident after being notified by shoplot traders opposite the shopping mall, in addition to receiving footage from them.
“Based on MBPJ’s initial investigation report regarding the incident, there are no structural defects (concerning the mall’s ceiling) but the plaster ceiling was not strong enough to handle the heavy rain and storm.
“In the future, MBPJ should look into what materials should be used to build shopping mall ceilings.
“So far, I have not been instructed on whether Megah Rise’s commercial site will cease operation,” she added.
Meanwhile, Shopping Mall Association president Tan Sri Teo Chiang Kok said yesterday’s incident might have happened because of the increasing impact of environmental changes.
“All accidents are unfortunate events and all mitigation needs to be taken.
“It appears that a very strong gush of up-wind has uplifted the ceiling of the outdoor porch.
“Hurricane-like winds have done damage from lifting of roofs, cars (and even) uprooted trees.
“(But) It is too early to determine the actual cause of this particular mishap and how much extreme weather contributed to stress the design.
“Best we wait for the forensic findings,” he told Scoop via WhatsApp when contacted today.
It was reported earlier that PPB Properties, developer and management of Megah Rise Mall, has engaged a team of consultants to conduct a comprehensive structural assessment of the building following yesterday’s ceiling collapse incident.
In a statement issued last night, PPB Properties CEO Low Eng Hooi, who expressed deep regret over the event, said the team will also implement necessary repairs and reinforcements. – October 29, 2023