Government to review guidelines for demolition works

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will review current guidelines for building demolition works, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said last night.

Kong said recent incidents of buildings collapsing during demolition works were of great concern to the government and should be a wake-up call for the building industry.

"I would like to advise stakeholders to take a serious view on the necessary preparatory work before starting demolition work. Due regard must be given to occupational and public safety," he said during his speech at The Edge Malaysia Top Property Developers Awards 2009 ceremony here.

He said members of the public were also increasingly concerned about hillslope and highland development.
"To facilitate and for long-term sustainable development of our country, the government has taken a bold step to allow, within the framework of approved guidelines, developments in these areas," Kong said.

"We are aware that hillslope and highland development is not a technology issue but a regulatory and compliance issue. In this case, strict regulatory guidelines before, during and after development have to be strictly adhered to ensure the health of the building," he said.-- Bernama