Its CEO Samrulzaman K Mohideen said the company was concerned that other developers might have inadvertently used substandard material similar to the low-quality concrete discovered in its two projects in Jelutong here while they were in the process of construction.

“JKP would like the Penang government to form a task force to examine all projects in Penang that used the same supplier, as they could probably have used the same material,” he said.

“We are making this request as we do not want any untoward incidents happening,” he said in a statement today.

He said JKP ordered construction for the Mutiara Ria low-cost flats and its neighbouring Mutiara Rini medium-cost apartment block, to be halted late last year after checks showed that the concrete used had not met with required specifications.

He said the concrete was found to be unsafe in tests conducted by seven different laboratories.

JKP, which is wholly owned by the finance ministry, has spent nearly RM30 million on the two projects thus far, he added. Construction began in late 2015.

He also said the developer was considering legal action against the concrete supplier.

On Oct 14, Samrulzaman announced JKP decided to tear down the Mutiara Ria structure, with demolition expected to take two to three months.

He also said JKP was awaiting a report on Mutiara Rini before deciding if it too should be demolished.

When completed, the 17-storey Mutiara Ria is targeted to house 192 low-cost units and 192 low-medium cost units. The 24-storey Mutiara Rini meanwhile will have a total of 382 affordable housing units.