Thursday June 1, 2006
Fuming MB blames greedy developers for landslide
KUALA LUMPUR: Go through all applications for hill slope development with a fine toothcomb!
That's the order to the relevant authorities from a fuming Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo who was at Kampung Pasir in Ulu Klang – the site of the latest major landslide in an area prone to such occurrences.
Dr Khir put the blame squarely on greedy developers, contractors and consultants, and ordered the proper authorities to review projects situated in high gradient areas.
“I am fed up with the developers' attitude. In this case (Kampung Pasir landslide) the state government’s technical team foresaw the problem and had recommended the developer take mitigation measures to prevent a landslide.
“But they did not heed the call, and I am coming down hard on the developer of this project. I will make sure that future projects involving steep gradient areas are scrutinised with a fine toothcomb,” he told The Star in an interview.
While agreeing that the Ulu Klang area was unstable, Dr Khir said he would be “turning the screws tight to make it very difficult for developers to develop highland areas.”
The Mentri Besar also urged the developers association to penalise members who flouted the laws and to ensure that they perform their work professionally.
He added that the state government already had strict guidelines on approving projects in sensitive areas and noted that the latest landslide occurred a short distance from the Highland towers tragedy site and other previous landslide occurrences.
“This fact worries me, and I will ensure that the state government take a re-look at all aspects involving approval because it seems contractors, consultants and the developers seem to be irresponsible. Time has come to be very strict with them,” he said.
“We already have an environment committee headed by the State Secretary, and he is being assisted by the necessary experts from Ikram (Public Works Institute), Public Works Department, Department of Environment and other experts.
“But yet, guidelines compliance by developers, contractors and consultants is still poor.”
The mentri besar was commenting on the latest landslide that killed two Indonesian women. Two toddlers were listed as missing.
Dr Khir said the developer of the 9.68ha site facing Taman Zooview would be held responsible for the landslide because they had been told to build a retaining wall to mitigate soil erosion
“But what I found out was that the developer only completed the 33m by 8m wall last week. After days of downpour, the wall collapsed and based on the preliminary observations of the authorities, the delay in the building of the wall was the cause of the landslide,” he said.
“Action would be taken against the developer for their failure to heed the call by the authorities to take mitigation measures before work on the land.”
Prof Dr Mahadzer Mahmud, the director of Ikram research development centre, said based on visual observation the land was too dangerous to be developed.
He added that the slope was practically vertical and needed to be reinforced with a retaining wall before any work could start on the land.
“It will take three to four months to conduct a thorough study on the land before any work can be allowed to go on,” he said. “It is so dangerous that I recommended that 16 houses at Taman Zooview be vacated tonight (Wednesday),” he said.
Prof Dr Mahazer, who accompanied Dr Khir, is also the lecturer at the Kuala Lumpur Infrastructure University College.
He said the fallout from the landslide was complicated because a private land owner had built the houses and rented them out to the Indonesians.
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