GEORGE TOWN, Oct 20 ― The Penang government must set up a special task force to identify other development projects that may have used the same supplier as the troubled low-cost development, Mutiara Ria which had to be demolished.

JKP Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Samrulzaman K.Mohideen said the state government must identify projects that may have utilised the same substandard concrete that was used in the construction of low-cost project, Mutiara Ria and its adjacent affordable housing project, Mutiara Rini.

"This is to ensure that the same issues do not arise in other projects and that the local authorities can take action to prevent anything untoward from happening due to this,” he said in a statement today.

The Mutiara Ria and Mutiara Rini projects, both by JKP Sdn Bhd, were halted at the end of 2016 after it was found that the concrete used did not meet the required specifications.

JKP claimed the supplier of the contractors appointed for the projects had supplied concrete that did not meet required specifications.

"The concrete samples were tested by seven different laboratories including international laboratories and the concrete did not meet the standard specifications,”

"JKP viewed such issue seriously and to ensure quality and safety of the projects are maintained, the board of directors have decided to demolish Mutiara Ria and Mutiara Rini projects in April before the state government issued the order on October 13,” he said.

The demolition process will proceed once a consultant is appointed to take charge of it.

He added that JKP had also initiated legal action against the contractor and supplier for both projects as JKP had already paid RM30 million for the construction of both projects.

Both projects, which started in late 2015, were partially constructed before construction was suspended.

He stressed that JKP is still committed to rebuild both projects after the partially built buildings have been demolished and cleared.

Mutiara Ria is a low-cost housing project with 192 low-cost units and 192 low-medium-cost units while Mutiara Rini is an affordable housing project with a total 382 units.  Both projects are located in Jelutong.