Is Karamunsing Complex safe?

Who are them to claim this building is safe?

Dr. Hiew together with the Sabah DAP Local Government and Housing Bureau chief Edward Ewol Mujie and the Tuaran DAP chief Peter Liew Fui Ken visited the complex, and they were met by the General Manager of the Complex Mr. Varan, who gave the MP a briefing over the 'concern of the people' on the complex.

The GM Mr. Varan reported that the complex is now having much improvement in terms of face lift, facilities, car parks, shop lots, services, security, and most important the businesses here are improving. Its condition now can not compare to the days with the company bought over the complex some five years ago. It has changed from a real bad shape to a lively shopping mall and office complex today. The management has a policy to buy back many of the units and renting it out to enhance good management. At the moment, they own 80% of all the units and floors.

Amount the improvements made to the complex are the installation of the RM 600,000 worth of CCTV system which is used to monitor the activities of the whole complex and provide security to all its tenants and customers on 24-hours basis. The new fire fighting system which is linked to the Bomba, costs RM 500,000. There are sensors, smoke detectors, sprinkler system, fire bells and alarms installed to give full and early warming to the people in the complex. Besides, there are adequate fire emergency escape route sign posted on walls. The complex employs 60 full time security and safety officers to watch over the complex on 24-hour shift. Besides, the complex has a Muslim prayer room (Surau) that can house 100 people for prayer.

As reported in the local dailies.....

Threat to sue DBKK and Suria
Published on: Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Kota Kinabalu: Lot owners at Karamunsing Complex took City Hall (DBKK) and Suria Capital Holdings Bhd to task, Monday, over the controversy regarding the buildings structural integrity (safety) of complex and hinted that both parties may be sued.

"We want the controversy resolved fast as our livelihood has been affected.

There should not be anymore delay," said Siau Yen Min, on behalf of the lot owners of Karamunsing Complex.

Siau said this after receiving the interim report of the independent approved consultant engineer, Jurutera Perunding WD Lee, Monday from the owner of Karamunsing Complex, Crest Megaway Sdn Bhd.
The interim report was issued to DBKK on March 7 where it is stated that based on its design check, field inspection and structural engineering knowledge, the 7th, 8th and 9th floors of Block C, Karamunsing Complex, which was owned by Suria Capital, is in good structural conditions.

Siau said the final report prepared by Suria Capital's Consultant engineers, Perunding Rekajasa in October last year had expressly admitted that their findings was arrived at without having obtained and seen the engineering structural plans of the three floors from either Suria Capital or Crest Megaway or DBKK, which could have been easily obtained but they chose not to.

"How do they come out with the final report when they do not even see the engineering structural plans is beyond our comprehension but this has caused our business to be affected badly," said Siau, who owns two lots selling carpets and toys.

Siau said following the briefing by Crest Megaway on why the independent approved consultant engineer can only come out with an interim report, the lot owners were most unhappy with the actions of Suria Capital and DBKK.

"Why is Suria Capital reluctant to allow Crest Megaway and its agents to enter Suria's properties at the 7th, 8th and 9th floors to carry out DBKK's directive?

"Why Perunding Rekajasa did not obtain the engineering structural plans in carrying out and coming out with its finding in the Final Report dated October 2010?" he asked.

Siau asked how Perunding arrived at its finding that the three floors was structurally unsafe when it did not have the benefit of the engineering structural plans thereof.
"Why did DBKK accept Perunding Rekajasa's final report when it itself makes an express admission that Perunding Rekajasa's finding was arrived at without the benefit of the engineering structural plans,?" he asked.

Siau said DBKK should have insisted that Perunding Rekajasa come out with its finding based on the engineering structural plans of the three floors which is a crucial document to be referred to for any consultant engineers to arrive at its finding.

"DBKK is fully aware of Suria Capital's refusal to allow Crest Megaway and its agents to enter the three floors. DBKK, as the custodian of public safety and in the enforcement of its statutory duties should have compelled Suria to do so," he said.

Siau said since the final report surfaced in the internet, tenants of Karamunsing Complex are finding it difficult to make ends meet as business nose-dived.

"Who is going to pay for our losses if the controversy drags on and if the three floors are found to be safe," he said, adding that the tenants may seek legal address against Suria Capital and DBKK.

Following the final report by Perunding Rekajasa, DBKK last October directed Crest Megaway that looks after the interest of 381 tenants and owners of Karamunsing Complex, to appoint an independent consultant engineer to carry out a structural integrity assessment of the three floors and a visual observation of the rest of Karamunsing Complex.

Jurutera Perunding WD Lee was duly appointed with the approval of DBKK to do the job.

At a meeting on Feb 10, DBKK and Suria Capital agreed to allow Crest Megaway and its agents to enter the three floors, subject to Crest Megaway issuing a letter of indemnity in favour of Suria Capital. Crest Megaway duly issued a Letter of Indemnity dated Feb 14, which was drafted by Suria Capita's solicitors.
However, by letter dated Feb 18, SCHB Engineering Services Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Suria Capital, informed Crest Megaway that the management was only agreeable to grant permission for Crest Megaway and its agents to carry out visual survey to the 7th Floor, and as for physical structural assessment of the 7th, 8th and 9th floors, Suria Capital has not approved Crest Megaway's request.

Further, by letter dated Feb 24, Suria Capital notified Crest Megaway that its Board had decided not to allow Crest Megaway its agents to enter into Suria's properties.

Siau said Suria Capital was contractually required to allow Crest Megaway and its agents to enter its properties for the purpose as directed by DBKK, which was among the clause in the Sales and Purchase Agreement signed by the two parties on July 20, 2005.

"We tenants want a finality to the whose episode so that we can continue going about and do out business," he said.