Bkt Antarabangsa: Residents hit out at Shabery statement
By LESTER KONG
Updated: Wednesday December 10, 2008 MYT 5:50:15 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek should be more sensitive towards the feelings of the residents who have suffered so much as result of the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide tragedy last Saturday.
Residents action committee chairman Datuk N. Muneandy said his statement Tuesday was uncalled for in light of the recent tragedy and only served to add fuel to the frustration and dismay already felt by the victims.
Ahmad Shabery reportedly told residents (see link below)not to point fingers solely at the Government as both developers and housebuyers who chose to live in highland areas were equally to be blamed and should accept responsibility for what happened.
“Are you saying we should blame the mother for giving birth to the thief???? he told reporters Wednesday, adding that residents had invested millions of ringgit to purchase homes there.
Muneandy said there had been many signals over the years to indicate that the soil structure was unstable but complaints to the local authorities had fallen on deaf ears.
He said the complaints for the past five to 10 years have touched on various issues including cracks in drains and falling rubble and trees at the current landslide site.
“We want the authorities to do something to safeguard the future safety of residents there. The buck must stop here,??? he said.
Muneandy said the committee would be bringing in their own geo-technical and legal experts to look into the soil structure at the landslide area which killed four people and resulted in nearly 3,000 being temporarily evacuated from their homes.
“We will collect evidence on what exactly happened and who is responsible. Then, we will consider whether to sue those responsible,??? he said.
The committee, which represents the residents of four streets in Taman Wangsa, Wangsa Heights and Antanium, also told the Government to provide more information to the residents’ committee, claiming they were being kept in the dark over plans to alleviate problems caused by the landslide.
“We have not been told about what is happening. We are left wondering what to expect next,??? he said.
Selangor Police Chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar had told reporters that a one-stop information centre would be set up soon at the operations area near the landslide hit site to “stream information??? out to residents.
Earlier, Housing and Local Government Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said he will be meeting with the Public Works Department (PWD) and various state government agencies to get an overall picture of what caused the landslide.
“At the moment, we are not sure whether the problem was due to human factor or natural forces,??? he said.
He also said that a National Master Plan would be drawn up soon by the PWD as a guideline for state governments to check slopes for soil stability.
He hinted that the plan would put state governments in charge of land safety and stability approvals and local councils in charge of approvals for building plans and the issuance of permits.
“The Ministry will provide advice and technical support. But we need to solve this (the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide) problem first,??? he said.
Developers and buyers responsible too, says Shabery
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LANDSLIDE: NEXT CHAPTER – FINGER-POINTING!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
KUALA LUMPUR: The authorities should be on alert and take remedial measures as more landslides are expected during this rainy season, an environmentalist said.
Centre for Environment, Technology and Development chairman Gurmit Singh said that landslides were common occurrences and most of them could easily be avoided if professionals, developers and civil servants were responsible enough to carry out their duties with care and diligence.
Meanwhile, president of the Bukit Bandaraya House Owners Association Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman said the Damansara area was also prone to landslides.
The latest incident was on Thursday when the retaining wall behind the CIMB Commerce Square and the CIMB Amanah building collapsed following a landslide.
Construction work of a three-storey bungalow on the hilltop could be the cause of yesterday’s landslide. The Bukit Antarabangsa Residents’ Association deputy chairman Raymond Jegathesan said all signs pointed towards the luxury bungalow project on the southern tip of the hillside.
The project has been under construction for the past year and Jagathesan believed that piling works, coupled with weak soil conditions and heavy rainfall, had contributed to the landslide.
He also questioned why the geological firm appointed by the previous state government to monitor geological conditions in Bukit Antarabangsa had failed to detect a possible landslide.
“Surely the possibility of such a major earth movement could not have escaped their notice.”
We can only hope that the new Selangor State Government will hold firm against the wanton destruction of our hillsides by developers. Hundreds and even thousands of unsuspecting residents that have put their trust in planning authorities will continue to be casualties if we don’t put a stop to such dangerous developments. It is time that the public stand up and give full support to the Selangor State Government. Let the onus of proof on safety of hillside development be fully with the developer. Let town planners not compromise on any development to fatten the profits of developers
Unfortunately for residents in Kuala Lumpur , City Hall is hard of hearing and wears tinted glasses. So, be warned and be ready to challenge them directly to protect your safety. Don’t be taken in by the many platitudes and promises of the Federal authorities. Many promises and supposed regulations were in place, yet every hill in KL is not safe. Every green area is targetted for concrete. Don’t believe me, just look at the KL Daft City Plan.. Sorry, I mean KL Draft City Plan.
DEFINITELY NOT AN ACT OF GOD!
I AM INCLINED TO THINK IT IS TOO MANY DIRTY HANDS IN THE POT.