Residents protest against luxury condominium project

A group of residents from five housing estates here voiced their concern over the proposal for a luxury condominium and new housing project near their dwellings. They alleged that both the projects near Taman Sri Bukit Indah, Taman Bukit Indah, Taman Sentosa, Taman Bukit Mas and Taman Bukit Ria would cause serious problems such as jeopardising water supply and damaging their houses. Taman Sri Bukit Indah Rukun Tetangga chairman Thomas Deevah claimed that the 27-storey condominium was not suitable for the location as it was a low-density area. "The luxury condominium and terrace houses in this locality would cause cracks in the nearby low-cost flats and terrace houses. "We will also face low water pressure during peak hours as the new projects share our water tank. It doesn't have the capacity to supply this extra water," he said to reporters after holding a peaceful protest on the matter, here. He said the residents had sent letters to the Seberang Perai Municipal Council and Penang Water Supply Corporation on the matter but had not received a satisfactory response from either party. Meanwhile, a representative of the residents, Michael Tan, 74, questioned the action of the state government in approving such a tall structure near a hill slope and forest reserve which was also a water catchment area. He said the building would not only mar the beauty of the Cherok To'kun forest reserve but also damage the topography of the slope.