The Bukit Antarabangsa area is among landslide-prone sites. — Filepic
IT IS imperative for an annual allocation to be set aside within the Federal Government’s budget to ensure there is always sufficient funds for prevention of landslides.
Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail is suggesting a slope monitoring and maintenance allocation, similar to funds given to Malaysian Road Records Information System (Marris).
“When I was given the mandate as an MP, I noticed a loophole in the yearly budget as there is no annual allocation for slope maintenance,” she said.
She assured that she would highlight the motion for a slope maintenance allocation during the Budget 2024 discussion session in Parliament this week.
Rodziah says individuals and private companies are responsible for maintaining slopes on their own land.
She was asked to comment on the RM563mil allocation for slope repairs announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when tabling Budget 2024 last Friday.
The funds are to be used for monitoring slopes and holding programmes as well as provide early warnings involving more than 2,000 high-risk slopes nationwide.
Such funds, said Rodziah, would be beneficial in risky areas around Ampang Jaya where slope repairs involved high costs.
“Funding for slope control management must be provided to restore confidence of residents living near slopes,” she said, citing areas such as Bukit Antarabangsa, Hulu Kelang and parts of Lembah Jaya.
“Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) has an inventory of slopes under its jurisdiction, which are categorised by its level of riskiness, hence making it easier to prioritise those for slope stabilisation works.”
It was reported that out of 356 slopes in the municipality, 61 were identified as dangerous.
Of these, 118 hillslopes are managed by MPAJ while the rest are under the purview of other government agencies (37) or belong to private individuals, developers or joint management bodies and management corporations (201).
“We must also not forget that private individuals and private companies are responsible for maintaining slopes on their land.
“For this, MPAJ is initiating contact with these owners to determine safety of the slopes,” Rodziah added.
