KUALA LUMPUR: TCS Group Holdings Bhd says that it is currently unable to determine the extent of the impact the company may face due to the stop-work order on the J. Satine mixed development project in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur.
"(We're) unable to determine at this juncture. Have to wait till the independent assessment is concluded," said TCS managing director Datuk Ir Tee Chai Seng in an emailed response to Business Times.
Tee explained that the length of the project's delay will be decided after an independent site assessment is completed
When asked about potential cost overruns due to the delay, he responded, "We are not the appropriate party to answer this question."
"TCS (via TCS Construction Sdn Bhd) is appointed as the main contractor for the main building works only. We are unable to divulge further details at this juncture. Additional information will be released upon the conclusion of the official investigation by the authorities," he said.
The stop-work order, issued on November 8, was triggered by reports of an explosion that allegedly caused structural damage at the site. Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) conducted investigations and identified cracks in shear walls, columns, and floors from the eighth floor and above.
DBKL has instructed the developer to undertake maintenance checks, ensure site safety, and commission an independent engineer to evaluate the structural integrity of the entire project, with a comprehensive report required.
The stop-work order will remain in place until all DBKL directives are fulfilled.
The J. Satine project features 3,600 affordable housing units, 661 SoHo units, and 42 commercial lots and is a joint venture between Platinum Victory Group and Gandingan Jakel Sdn Bhd, the property arm of Jakel Group.
In a statement on Monday, Gandingan Jakel said it is working with DBKL to address concerns at its J Satine project.
The developer said that immediate actions had been taken to comply with building regulations, including appointing an independent consultant for structural assessments, installing temporary supports, enhancing safety measures, and conducting daily inspections.
According to Gandingan Jakel, the preliminary structural assessment is nearing completion, with further quality checks and remediation measures to follow under the supervision of project consultants.
The company also clarified through its FAQ webpage that no explosion had occurred and there was no risk posed to nearby buildings or infrastructure.
"A comprehensive investigation by a highly respected third-party consultant is currently underway. We are working diligently to assess and determine the best course of action. We expect the full report to be ready within the next few months. This report will detail the exact nature and extent of these issues and recommend specific remedial actions," it added.