By M. KUMAR

PETALING JAYA, Malaysia: Except for an elderly couple, the rest of the residents from 12 houses near the collapsed Jaya Supermarket at Section 14, have moved out, most of them into two hotels nearby.

As of 4pm yesterday, a number of the residents had taken up the contractors' offer and checked into Armada and Crystal Crown hotels.

Others chose to move in with their relatives.

Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohamed said policemen and Petaling Jaya City Council staff would keep an eye on the vacated houses.

"Residents who wish to return and collect their belongings are required to register at a nearby tent, set up by the authorities, and will be escorted to their homes," he said.

ACP Arjunaidi said an elderly couple in their 70s were the only ones who refused to move out for the time being.

"We are still coaxing them to vacate the danger zone" he said.

Part of the supermarket was in danger of collapsing onto the 12 houses.

One affected resident, Lily Luis Rebeiro, 69, said she preferred to stay with her son in Kota Damansara instead of the hotel.

"It is an inconvenience, but we should follow the authorities' advice for our own safety," she said.

Another resident, who only wants to be known as Wong, said he and his family had shifted to Armada hotel on Saturday night.

"Our daily routine would be affected, but so far everything has been handled smoothly by the authorities," said Wong.