Former state executive councillor Dr Loh Hock Hun has been told to resign as the Paya Terubong state assemblyperson for his failure to resolve the problems pertaining to Taman Terubong Indah 1, or popularly known as the Majestic Heights housing project.

Penang DAP organising secretary Danny Law Heng Kiang said that Loh had failed to fulfill his promise made early last year to resolve all problems and revive the project.

However, until today, the nine-block 1,557-unit residential project has not been revived nor their problems resolved.

For a start, said Law, the Majestic Heights management committee, Pristine Environment Sdn Bhd, has recently self-terminated its contract with the project liquidator, Kassim and Chan, in protest against the latter's plan to impose fresh fees on service charges and security system.

The proposed new amount is estimated to be more than RM1,000 per purchaser. Last week, several purchasers openly protested against the proposed charges which they regard as a breach of contract.

They had also urged Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh to bring up the matter in Parliament.

Revived in 2002

Located at Paya Terubong hilly areas, the Majestic Heights project was abandoned by its developer in 1998.

In 2002, the dismayed house buyers grouped up and contributed extra money - RM7, 500 each - to revive the project on their own.

The Local Government and Housing Ministry then appointed Kassim and Chan as the project liquidator and a RM11.2 million rescue plan was laid out to revive the project through Wira Properties.

Although the construction of housing blocks have been completed, other works such as building retaining walls to prevent mudslide and landslide and upgrading of access roads have not been up to the mark.

A check showed that murky water has been flowing down non-stop from the retaining wall to the residential area.

The wall was built last year for RM3.7 million.

"The residents fear a major landslide would hit the area soon," said Law. Cracks have also appeared on flat walls, staircases and pillars on the blocks.

CF given in December

At present only about 300 purchasers have moved in to the Majestic Heights flats. The others, according to Law, did not have enough confidence to do so.

When the project was revived, Loh promised to expedite the issuance of certificate of occupational fitness (CF) by March 2003. However, it was only issued last December.

"We believe that the CF was issued for political reason as the general election was then around the corner.

"Otherwise, how could the municipal council issue the CF when the project was not fully ready and moreover marred by poor workmanship," Law asked.

The DAP wants Loh to publicly explain about all these problems and lay out his plans to resolve them.

"Otherwise, he should step down as the area's elected representative honourably," Law said.

ATHI VEERANGGAN is malaysiakini 's Penang-based stringer.