To ensure the safety of occupants of ageing buildings, a new task force will be created to conduct checks and audits on strata-titled buildings over 30 years old, reported The Star.

The task force will comprise members of the local councils, who will work with other relevant agencies such as the Public Works Department, Fire and Rescue Department, Ranhill SAJ, and Tenaga Nasional Bhd, revealed Johor Housing, Communication and Multimedia Committee Chairman Dzulkefly Ahmad.

“The move to audit or inspect such old residential strata buildings is a pre-emptive measure for the safety of occupants,” he said. It is also aimed at averting disasters such as the Highland Tower incident in 1993.

Aside from ensuring that such buildings are safe for occupation, the task force will also identify restoration works needed to extend the buildings’ life.

On government-owned public housing, he shared that the state has 10 affordable housing projects with 9,095 units.

Of these, about 1,431 units are over 30 years old, noted Dzulkefly.

A number of privately-owned flats in Johor are also over 30 years old.

They include Rumah Pangsa Taman Melor, Rumah Pangsa Taman Cempaka, Rumah Pangsa Larkin, Rumah Pangsa Taman Kenanga, Rumah Pangsa Jalan Nipah 11 as well as Rumah Pangsa Bertam 16 and One.

Also on the list are Pangsapuri Daya View, Pangsa Jalan Enau 16 and 20, Rumah Pangsa Taman Melati 5 and Rumah Pangsa Jalan Sagu 34 and 35.

All these properties come under the Johor Baru City Council.

Others include Rumah Pangsa Taman Perling (Jalan Camar) and Rumah Pangsa Taman Ungku Tun Aminah under the Iskandar Puteri City Council.