Amended: Construction work in progress for a penthouse above Mun Choong Restaurant in Ipoh.
THE Ipoh City Council has been informed that the rooftop extension of Mun Choong Restaurant will be used as an office and workers’ quarters.
Council building department director Muhammad Syahril Sapiran said the owner had given assurance that the penthouse it was constructing above the restaurant in Pasir Puteh would not be used to host dinners as originally intended.
“The restaurant owner was allowed to continue with its renovation works after the council, Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) and Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) were satisfied with a new plan submitted for a penthouse to be built.
“The owner has changed the design of the structure from that of a multi-purpose hall into a penthouse for office use and to house its workers,” he said.
Muhammad Syahril told reporters this during a press conference after the council’s monthly fullboard meeting on Monday.
It was reported last July that the owner had initially intended to put up a ballroom above the restaurant.
The renovation works sparked public outcry with various quarters voicing fear that the foundation of the building would not be able to withstand the weight of the additional structure and could collapse.
In addition, the public were worried that accidents could arise due to the lack of safety measures practised by the restaurant’s contractor.
A month later, the council issued a stop-work order against the owner for failing to put up safety nettings, warning signs and proper fencing around the construction site.
However, the stop-work order was rescinded in March this year after the owner submitted an amended renovation plan to construct a penthouse instead of a ballroom, as well as the necessary structural integrity reports for approval.
Mayor Datuk Harun Rawi said the council would be conducting safety and health checks on the premises from time to time.
“Legally speaking, the owner is not allowed to continue with operations when construction is ongoing.
“But we are monitoring the situation,” he said.
A check by The Star showed that construction of the penthouse, which by definition is only for personal dwelling purposes, is near completion.
