CPI is running a consolidated initial post here consisting of TWO TAKES — one from mainstream media and another from Blogosphere — on last Saturday’s (December 6, 2008) Bukit Antarabangsa landslide incident which has claimed four lives to date. This is not a comprehensive analysis, but it’s educational to bring together a few perspectives, so that a “balanced” picture emerges the records and discussion as we continue to track this incident and related issues in our Current Theme. Perhaps later, CPI will folow up with “reprising” some of the reports on the Highland Towers tragedy which claimed 48 lives, and it’s indeed pertinent and relevant to ask of the authorities: “Where have all the lessons of the past landslide incidents and consequently the expert recommendations gone?”
— YLChong, Editor,CPI
Take 1: From a Blogger SK Thew Landslide tragedies: Malaysia never learn!
By
SK Thew aka Mage’s Page Monday, December 8th, 2008 | 3:52 am @ SK
It’s not the time to put the Bukit Antarabangsa tragedy behind us, not now and not in the next 15 years. 15 years ago, when one of the Highland Towers condominium collapsed, killing 48 people and government leaders quickly responded with promises to ensure more stringent regulations.
15 years later, in the landslide which killed 4 people with many more injured, politicians continue to put up public stunt with their pretentious look to show caring they’re towards the victims. The PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi urged all the state governments to consider
stopping housing projects on high-risk hillslopes.
“It would be good if the other state governments disallow housing developments in hilly areas. It’s not a loss, it’s for safety,” he said.
After so many mishaps and victims, now only we Malaysians have the chance to experience rude awakening and to realize that for you to call for the end of housing development in hilly areas is due to your safety concern.
Thank you Pak Lah, your brilliant point taken!
Next, here comes the DPM Najib Tun Razak who said the government
will not allow any development in hilly areas at risk of landslides to avert a recurrence of the mishaps.
“I believe there is no reason to carry out development on hill slopes at risk of landslides. It is better to take preventive measures to avert possible disasters. We have to learn from what has happened today,” he said.
Apart from the Highland Towers,
more than 10 landslide-related incidents had occurred in the Hulu Klang area as far back as 1985, it’s amazing for him to be fully aware now that it’s better to take preventive measures to avert possible disasters.
Thank you Pak Najib, just like Pak Lah, another brilliant point from you taken!
Now, let’s listen to a few firsthand accounts from a few survivors who have had tragic experience in the Highland Towers tragedy. Among them are Dr Benjamin George and former DPM Tun Musa Hitam.
Dr Benjamin George believes that landslides will never end because the authorities do not have the will to stop it.
The politicians will climb up their helicopters and say all development must stop.
There will be a stop-work order for two months but in the third month the tractors will start work again.
I have survived long enough to see all this nonsense repeated. […]
As for the former DPM, he is very disappointed that nobody seems to have learnt from the Highland Towers tragedy.
“So many years have since passed and today there are incidents like this happening again, causing death (as well). It’s very unpleasant memory, so sad. I personally experienced it. It has been hoped that whoever was guilty must be punished,” he said.
His son and daughter-in-law were among the 48 killed in the unfortunate incident.
Now, after the finger-pointing and the delusions of pretentious sorrow and “I’m so sorry look” shown by those politicians who directly and indirectly played a role in these tragedies, what’s next?
Are we going to experience the recurrence of another disaster 3 months down the road after this latest tragedy, with tractors going to be seen working on another new hillside development?
Are we going to experience the similar wrath from the politicians 15 years down the road with the recurrence of the similar unfortunate incident, succumbing to the usual finger pointing games, review this and that, no permit for this and that, blame this and that, so on and so forth?
Now, a true Malaysian like Patrick Teoh, who truly understands
how the typical Malaysia government works and having seen enough of delusions of pretentious sorrow display from those in power, feeling upset and painfully aware that the infamous remarks from the infamous duo liken to putting salt on the wound without any sincere and determined action.
Now as a Malaysian I should be used to politicians talking cock each time there is a disaster and lives lost. But this time what I saw and heard was just too much to bear. If I had been at the press conferences I would have spat in the faces of these two insensitive, idiotic, infuriating morons. Malaysians have lost loved ones, are traumatised and have an uncertain future facing them and all these 2 *****(EXPLETIVE OMITTED–Ed) can come up with is a load of political-speak. Of course, the studies will be launched. Task forces will be set up. Reviews will be done. As they have been done before. And a lot of ******(EXPLETIVE OMITTED–Ed) good these have done. Nobody even remembers them. And listening to the 2 of them I could already hear the insincerity of the statements made.
Now you be the judge.
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Take 2: From an MSM, New Straits Times
Bukit Antarabangsa Tragedy Aftermath: So, who takes the rap?
December 9, 2008
KUALA LUMPUR: The blame game has begun. While victims are trying to come to terms with the tragedy, and while those trapped are wondering how they would get basic needs like food, the former and current menteri besar of Selangor are trading blows. It began when former menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo lashed out at the present administration, accusing it of not being on top of the problem.
“During my time, the state Public Works Department, with the assistance of the Public Works Institute of Malaysia (Ikram), the Geology Department and the Drainage and Irrigation Department, provided reports every three months on hillslope conditions in Hulu Kelang,” Dr Khir said.
“This started after the last landslide in the area, which happened in Kampung Pasir in May, 2006.”
Dr Khir said the currenthousing area where the landslide happened was not approved during his tenure but more than 15 years ago. He said during his tenure, the state had established a special committee headed by the state secretary to oversee all hillslope developments.
“There was no problem then. I don’t know what happened after the new administration came in,” Dr Khir said.
“The state government should be more strict. During our time, the state government collected RM6 million in fines from developers who did not build proper retention ponds. We even stopped some projects.”
In an immediate response, Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim came out with guns blazing, denying allegations that the state administration had failed to monitor or be strict with developments on hillslopes.
Khalid said there were more than 90 ongoing hillside projects in the state and that it had ordered the developers to submit monthly reports on the progress of their work, adding that all these projects were approved by the previous administration.
“The state cannot rescind the development orders given to these developers as there are legal implications involved.”
He said the state government would blacklist developers and companies that failed to adhere to its directives and was even prepared to face the legal consequences of stopping the projects.
Khalid said the Pakatan Rakyat government had placed a blanket ban on development in Class Three and Four slopes, and that this was among the first decisions taken by the new administration.
These two categories refer to slopes with steep inclines of more than 20 degrees.
Following consultation with various agencies and parties, Khalid had on Sunday order-ed all developments on steep hillsides in Selangor to be suspended with immediate effect.
State executive councillor in charge of local authorities Ronnie Liu said he wanted the previous state administration to explain how it approved a total of 114 Class 3 and 4 hillslope projects that were deemed a risk to occupants of properties there.
“Looks like they have not learnt from the 1993 Highland Towers tragedy. I can’t imagine how they could approve projects which could endanger the lives of its residents.”