Stop work-order on ballroom

WORK to construct a ballroom on the roof of Mun Choong Restaurant has finally halted after the authorities issued stop-work orders against the building owner.

Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim said both the Ipoh City Council and Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) had prior to the Hari Raya holidays directed the owner of the restaurant on Jalan Pasir Putih to stop all construction works.

“The owner is not allowed to carry on with construction until it adheres to all safety measures.

“Also, it has been brought to our attention that the architect has pulled out of the project.

“Until the owner appoints another qualified architect to supervise the project, it is also not allowed to resume construction works,” he told The Star yesterday.

On July 31, The Star had highlighted the public’s concerns regarding renovations on the roof of the eatery, which occupies five three-storey shoplots.

According to Roshidi, the stop- work orders were issued as the owner had failed to fence up the area as well as put up proper netting and prepare ample signages to warn the public of the construction above.

“We have also found that the workers of the appointed construction company are not competent by legal standards to put up such a massive steel structure.

“Until the owner complies with all the requirements, it cannot proceed with the construction of the ballroom.

“During our last meeting with DOSH and the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB), it was also decided that the owner cannot continue its operations regardless of whether they stop work or not,” he added.

A check by The Star showed that until yesterday, it was business as usual at the restaurant.

Restaurant owner Yen Siew Foong declined to comment when contacted.