Tuesday January 1, 2013

Homes of two MPs likely to go

KUALA LUMPUR: The houses of two Members of Parliament are likely to be demolished following the collapse of the retaining wall in Puncak Setiawangsa, says the Public Works Institute of Malaysia (Ikram).

Workers also need to remove the wall's ground anchor blocks, which hold the shotcrete together.

Ikram chief operating officer Mohd Taufik Harun said there was a “high probability” that the demolition would be carried out, which was one of the likely long-term solutions to resolve the issue and also to prevent more landslips from occurring.

The bungalows of Rompin MP Datuk Seri Jamaluddin Jarjis, who is Malaysia's special envoy to the United States, and Setiawangsa MP Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique were damaged in the landslide on Friday.

Mohd Taufik said if there was a need to save the other houses, the houses of the two politicians might have to be demolished to provide a buffer zone for the other houses atop the hill.

“Nothing is confirmed yet but it is very likely that the developer will have to demolish the other two houses as well.

“We also have to look at the creation of a buffer zone as a long-term solution as currently there is no buffer zone between the houses and the slope,” he said here yesterday.

<b>Quick check:</b> Zulhasnan (right) and Jamaluddin (centre) checking the landslide near their houses in Puncak Setiawangsa. —Bernama

Quick check: Zulhasnan (right) and Jamaluddin (centre) checking the landslide near their houses in Puncak Setiawangsa. —Bernama

Mohd Taufik, however, said that the main concern was not the houses at the hilltop but the dwellings below.

“We have to demolish some of the houses at the top if we need to. However, if a landslide occurs, the impact would hit the bottom. So far, the soil movement is still active but it has slowed down.

“But, we have to work with the developer to demolish the houses that have suffered bad structural cracks as they would bring a greater soil impact if they collapse or if a landslip occurs,” he added.

Meanwhile, Zulhasnan said that the Cabinet would be officially briefed on the matter as it involved a natural disaster.

The decision was made after a meeting was held between the residents and the agencies involved in remedial works.

<b>To a safer place:</b> Some of the residents moving out as the demolition work begins in Puncak Setiawangsa.

To a safer place: Some of the residents moving out as the demolition work begins in Puncak Setiawangsa.

“Ikram, which is under the Public Works Department, and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) under the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry would be preparing a note to be sent to the Cabinet,” he added.

“We need the Government's help in this matter. We hope that we can pass the note to the Cabinet by Wednesday (tomorrow) so that a decision can be reached on what action can be done next,” Zulhasnan said.

Yesterday, workers have begun demolition work of an affected house belonging to an Iraqi family.

News

Tuesday January 1, 2013

Homes of two MPs likely to go