A file photo showing the notice for evacuation in front of the damaged building.
SIBU: The Housing Ministry, through the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), is focusing on the safety and well-being of residents of the Sibu Jaya flat, which was damaged in the April 11 explosion.
Assistant Minister of Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stated this yesterday in response to a news report of owners refusing to be sheltered at another flat.
“Right after the explosion, (Housing Minister) Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, myself as well as officials from the ministry and HDC rushed to Sibu to see the situation.
“We noted that it had caused extensive damage to certain parts of the building, and presumed that it might not be conducive to occupation. However, this would be subject to ‘test’ conducted on the building and its ‘worthiness’ for occupation,” Abdul Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman, told The Borneo Post here.
According to a news report, owners of 22 units out of the total 46 at the damaged flat are said to have refused to be temporarily relocated, while the remaining 24 have expressed their dissatisfaction to move to another flat because of its poor condition.
According to coordinators of the 24 units, Laura Lingga and Catherine Binit, HDC had ordered Sesco and Sibu Water Board (SWB) to disconnect the supply to their flats, rendering them with out electricity and water.
On this, Abdul Karim said: “As a concerned minister, Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg has directed for an alternative empty site/apartments be prepared for the affected residents.
“Directive was issued to make sure that the alternative units would have all basic amenities like water and electricity supply. All these are being done, with the residents’ safety and security being the utmost priority. I am unsure why some residents are refusing to move from the old units.
“I am also unsure as to why water and electricity supply to the old units have been ‘terminated’.
“It could be that the owners had consented to the termination of service by the operators.
“On some of the residents’ refusal to move out, I believe all this depends on the ‘worthiness’ of their units and the building. If they (units) are deemed not worthy for occupation, it’s better for the residents to move out.”
Having said this, Abdul Karim said if some of the units had been declared safe by the authorities, then nobody could tell the residents to move out.
“They (residents) are the purchasers of the units and are entitled to their rights of purchase,” he added.
A ‘gas explosion’ rocked the four-storey Block E flat in Sibu Jaya at 2.20am on April 11, causing a ceiling to collapse and blowing out six walls on its two floors.
It also claimed the life of S’ng Guan Hock, 51, owner of one of the ground floor units.