KUALA LUMPUR: A declassified report on the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide that sheds light on the cause and possible fault for the Dec 6, 2008 Bukit Antarabangsa landslide will be submitted to the High Court.

Civil Engineer Datuk Dr Azhaari Muhamad, 59, said a report was prepared by the Works Ministry to determine the cause of the landslide and could help avoid similar incidents in future.

“It is one of the most massive landslides ever in Malaysia. It affected some 5,000 people, destroyed 14 bungalows, killed five people and resulted in the injury of 14 more,” he said.

Dr Azhaari, who was part of the Ministry's special committee which prepared the report, was the first witness in the trial which started on Thursday.

He said the report which he oversaw looked into the probable cause, factors and mechanics of the landslide as well as determining remedial measures and possible high risk locations.

He added that report was initially classified, but the Federal Government later declassified it after the Ministry handed the report to the Selangor Government.

On Sep 8 2010, engineer K. Thanarajah filed a suit against the developer Superview Development Sdn Bhd and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) over the death of his wife, veterinarian Dr N. Yogeswary as well as damage to their property, claiming damages of RM2.67mil.

Thanarajah's counsel G.K. Ganesan said in his opening statement that the point of contention was the cause of the landslide, and to clarify the issue they would adduce five expert reports.

“We want to determine if the losses can be attributed to the defendant, and if so, how liable they are,” he told the court.

Justice Lee Heng Cheong adjourned the trial for a site visit, and set Dr Ashaari's examination to continue on Friday.

Thanarajah's three children T. Thivesh Raj, T. Avinesh Raj, and T. Priyankka, as well as his firm, C & S Engineering Management Sdn Bhd, were also named as plaintiffs in the suit.

Another nine former residents and survivors of the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide have also filed separate suits to the High Court registry.

In their respective suits, they claimed that the landslide that resulted in the loss of life and damage to vehicles, other personal belongings and their properties was solely due to the breach of duty of care and negligence on the part of the developer and Syabas.

They claimed that the developer had started filling the slope on the land with earth and commenced the construction of link houses in 1984.

They said that previous slope failures had occurred in 1984 and in November 1985 prior to the 2008 landslide. They said Syabas owed a duty to design, construct, maintain and lay the active water pipes in a safe manner so that it did not leak and saturate the land with water.

Superview Development was represented by T. Kuhendran, while Syabas was represented by lawyers Steven Thiru and David Mathew.

• IOI Corp injects property biz into new entity for RM9.76bil under demerger
• Asian shares mostly rise, dollar takes breather
• Navis invests in Singapore's electronic waste company
• Moody's: Malaysia's economy grew 5.7% in Q1
• CSC Steel hits high of RM1.45 after firmer earnings
• Trading in I-Bhd halted after MoU inked for RM580m mall
• Verizon Wireless to pay surprise US$7bil dividend
• Emails show lobbyists, not insiders, underpinned U.S. market-moving report
• KLCI eases in early trade, Sime, Genting weigh
• Trading ideas: MMC, Malton, Scomi
• RHB Research maintains Buy on Gamuda, FV RM5.45
• Glass Lewis: Goldman shareholders should vote no on compensation
• UK housing demand highest in 3-1/2 years
• Affin Research maintains Buy, TP RM3.70
• Amazon buys Liquavista from Samsung, launches digital currency

• U.S. TV psychologist Joyce Brothers dies at age 85
• Panic grips Saudis as toll rises from SARS-like virus
• DiCaprio environmental art auction tops $33 million
• Three astronauts return to Earth after ISS mission
• Minnesota becomes 12th US state with gay marriage
• Taiwanese fishermen burn Filipino flags in protest
• Ice wall crashes into Canada cottages

• Zhang, Ding out to defend World titles in Paris
• Jun Hoong-Wendy continue fine form with bronze in 3m springboard
• Peng Soon says he’s physically and mentally ready for the Sudirman Cup
• Coach Tat Meng hopes the women will rise to the occasion
• Wei Keat aims to make an impact in Thailand Grand Prix Gold
• Rugby team set sights on promotion to Division One
• High stakes as KLHC and Tenaga aim to make history
• Revington selects five more players but trims national squad
• Alia eager to test her skills against world’s best in Munich
• Shariffuddin over the moon after selection to 600cc
• Inconsistent outing for Nabil in Belgium
• Champ Vettel blames Red Bull staff as Mercedes’ Rosberg is mystified
• Woods silences Garcia after winning golf’s richest prize by two strokes
• Madrid winners Nadal and Serena are favourites at Roland Garros
• Federer and Murray not worried over gay players

• Please wait.

• Cyclone takes the heat for hot weather
• If you want to go far work early and hard on personal branding
• AirAsia X offers free tickets to any destination for initial public offering to retail investors
• Doc held for posing as cop to extort businessman
• Allianz aims for RM150mil in new premiums
• Couple upset over baby’s death
• From tomorrow, city cabbies can pick up passengers from KLIA
• Khaled Nordin sworn in as Johor MB (Updated)
• Malaysia's I-Bhd and Thailand's CPN in mall joint venture with GDV of RM580mil
• Bomoh tricks desperate wife