Hazardous conditions cause for Empire City tenant concerns - report

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 5): Empire City in Damansara is currenty closed for remedial works, and employees of a firm located within the building are reluctant to return, citing hazardous conditions of the building.

In a report by the Malay Mail, employees of Wire and Plastic Products Malaysia (WPP) spoke of their safety concerns.

“I wouldn’t recommend anyone coming here to work or finding an office space here,” Mishi Tabuaki said.

“The mall is abandoned, there’s debris and construction materials everywhere. I’ve seen puddles of stagnant water around the areas too, it’s like an Aedes infestation waiting to happen.”

On Dec 13, news reports accounted how hundreds of WPP employees had been forced to leave the offices after power had been disrupted in Tower H and adjacent blocks. 

The RM5 billion, 23-acre development project was once touted as the next major development in Kuala Lumpur by developers Mammoth Empire Holding Sdn Bhd (MEH). 

Meant to comprise office towers, serviced residences, five-star hotels and a shopping mall with two million square feet of space, it was launched in 2015 with aplomb, featuring a party attended by socialite Paris Hilton and K-Pop group 2AM in what was called the "Party of the Century". 

The opening was, however, delayed, and today, the mall stands empty. 

Most shops are closed, and less than a handful of tenants populate the office block. The lifts don't always work, and tenants complain of floods, mosquitos and rats.

The news portal reports one landlord who owns multiple units at Halo Sunday, Colonial and My Loft residences said the problems are long-standing. He said that ecurity guards blocked access to one floor due to what was said to be prolonged ponding.

“I accidentally walked down there and saw the whole floor flooded. When I came up the guards saw me and began arguing with each other,” Irene Wong Munusamy was quoted as saying.

“They were supposed to stop anyone from going down and when they realised I had seen the devastation, they panicked.”

With concerns for the structure’s integrity and safety, Wong says attempts to approach staff at the pffices of the developer was met with employees avoiding her when she approached.

MEH representative, in speaking to the news portal said that it has taken note of complaints by WPP employees and its tenants, saying that measures to improve the situation in the building are being undertaken.

“We take cognisance of the situation that was encountered by WPP and we would like to assure you that safety has never been an issue and is not compromised under any circumstances.

“We have also been taking steps to upgrade and improve the building for the comfort of our tenants,’’ said the spokesman.