Tanjung MP Ng Wei Aik has asked the previous Gerakan-led Penang government why it had allowed Menara Umno to be built before the building plan was submitted or approved.

"How can the state succumb to Umno and allow work to commence even before the building plan is submitted?" Ng asked at a press conference today.

A lightning rod located at the top of the building, located on Jalan MacAlister, toppled over and killed two men on the street during a violent gale that hit Penang last Thursday.

NONE Ng said the local council on Dec 23, 1995, issued the building contractor a special permit to commence work, two years before the first building plan was submitted on July 31, 1997. A modified plan was sent out on July 24, 1998.

On Oct 1, 1996, then Deputy Chief Minister Shariff Omar had visited the building site and "endorsed" the construction even though a building plan had yet to be submitted, Ng noted.

"After that, Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon issued a letter to state executive councillor Dr Teng Hock Nan to ask why there was a delay in completing the project.

"In the letter, Koh said he needed to report the matter to deputy prime minister and Penang Umno chief Anwar Ibrahim."

When contacted, Teng said the incident was “a technical problem that happened during a natural disaster".

He said at the time of construction, the architect and engineers could not have foreseen that it would fall.

"There are many other buildings with structures too, but as long as the architect is responsible and willing to pay the fine if they do not comply with the guidelines, procedures and building plan, it is acceptable," Teng noted.

"We had strict and transparent guidelines and procedures during that time."

MP told not to 'play politics'

Teng, who is state Gerakan chairperson, said the architect came from an internationally renowned and prize-winning company that is popular for its international designs.

"What is Ng trying to achieve by asking this question? Let us be very frank. The 13th general election is over, don't play politics," Teng said.

"What is more important is for the current government to ensure that this does not happen again in future."

NONE Teng said Ng ( in green T-shirt ) was trying to give the impression that the previous state government had allowed the building to be built at the expense of public safety just because Umno wanted it done quickly.

"This is very irresponsible and unnecessary. It is not good to create such hatred for the previous administration, especially in the family and friends of the victims who have experienced such a tragedy.

"This should not be the present government's main job. In a tragedy like this, don't continue to harp on such things that can create hatred."

Teng stressed that since the building was constructed almost 18 years ago, there was no point asking him now if it was properly built or not.

He wondered if the architect would still be responsible for such technical problems when the building was constructed almost two decades ago.

Teng said Ng may not be aware of provisions in the local council to allow work to commence on buildings before the planning permission was sought.

NONE Penang Umno Youth chief Shaik Hussein Mydin (right) urged all sectors to wait for the official report from experts appointed by the building management.

"Don't simply issue statements (ahead of) the expert's report. Give them time to probe the issue," Shaik Hussein said when met at the accident site.

State Umno deputy chief Musa Sheikh Fadzir was peeved with the question, chiding Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for being "silly".

"He should not politicise the issue because this is tragedy and natural disaster, but he should instead respect the family's feelings," he added.

"Just because work was allowed to commence before the building plan (was approved) does not mean the structure is unsafe or not strong."

Related stories

Umno HQ built before plan approval, claims MP

Minister orders probe into storm victim's death

Medium, 13, 'locates Penang storm victim's body'

Search for missing Penang hawker called off