Kudos to the Federal Government. Lets hope implementation will be smooth and swift.

From the Star, Saturday February 21, 2009

RM70mil to stabilise land at Bukit Antarabangsa

By TEH ENG HOCK

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM70mil will be spent to stabilise the landslide-hit area of Bukit Antarabangsa.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed said the Cabinet had approved the amount, which would be recouped after authorities identify the parties responsible for the tragedy that claimed five lives on Dec 6.

He said immediate work would begin to stabilise the area in Taman Bukit Jaya, Taman Bukit Mewah and Jalan Wangsa 9, where 44 houses are still deemed unfit for occupation.

Residents of the 44 homes should be able to return after six months, said Mohd Zin.

Work at the rest of the affected area was scheduled to be completed within two years.

“With the RM70mil allocation, the Works Ministry will appoint competent contractors to begin rehabilitation work. It could start as soon as next week,” he told reporters at his office after attending the Cabinet meeting.

He said his ministry had applied for the allocation from the Treasury on Dec 19 last year, but could not make any promises or announcements until the sum was approved.

Mohd Zin said that although it was not the Federal Government’s responsibility to rehabilitate the landslide area, it would take too long to wait for those responsible to come up with the funds.

“Actually, it is the responsibility of developers or land owners who had failed to obey the slope development specifications, and also that of the local authority, the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council and the Selangor state government,” he said.

As such, Mohd Zin said the ministry would identify those responsible and claim the cost of repairs from them.

When contacted, Bukit Antara bangsa Residents Association chairman Dr Mohamad Rafick Khan welcomed the move to stabilise the area.

“It is much needed. But what we also need is the landslide risk assessment study of Bukit Antrabangsa prepared by the Malaysian Public Works Institute (Ikram).

“We must understand the risks we are facing when living in Bukit Antarabangsa. There is no peace at night. We see the risks, but how dangerous it is, we don’t know,” he said.

But they still own the land..

From the Star; Saturday February 21, 2009

Developer: We had no building project in area for over 20 years

PETALING JAYA: A developer in Bukit Antarabangsa has claimed that it did not have any hillside development project or construction activity there for more than 20 years.

In a press statement yesterday, Superview Development Sdn Bhd stated that they had taken reasonable steps and had been responsible in conducting periodical maintenance works on land that they owned in the area.

Superview, which was the developer of Taman Wangsa Ukay at Bukit Antarabangsa, stated it was unable to comment on the possible causes of the landslide until investigations had been completed.

The developer also stated that it was not involved in the preparation of the technical report pertaining to the landslide.

However, Superview said it had appointed a geotechnical expert to advise and work with the appropriate authorities on any proposed remedial works in the area.

It’s Business as usual

From the Star. 

Sunday February 15, 2009

Hillside projects to go on

BY SIM LEOI LEOI

PETALING JAYA: Despite the controversies involving hillside development, there will be no blanket ban on such projects.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed, who disclosed this, said this was because the country’s population was increasing and land was needed for development.

He stressed that a total ban would be a waste of land, and proposed instead an immediate halt on the “tip fill” technique during construction at hillslopes which he said was the cause of landslides in Ulu Klang.

The technique involves the cutting of slopes, and removal and refill of soil.

“To totally prevent landslides or ensure zero risk, we have the option of freezing all construction projects on hill slopes. But this is not practical,’’ Mohd Zin said at the launch of a seminar on hill site development organised by the National Board of Engineers here yesterday.

The minister said there were many local professional engineers with wide experience and expertise in carrying out safe development work on hillsides “who are capable of reducing or minimising landslides.”

“The Government itself acknowledges the importance of national development by putting aside RM259bil for the construction of highways, infrastructure and other facilities,” he said.

He said that with a ban on the “tip fill” technique, the Highland Towers and Bukit Antarabangsa tragedies would not recur, adding that the slope division of the Public Works Department was currently inspecting existing tip-fill slopes and its retaining walls to ensure no breach.

The minister, however, has his detractors. His press conference was disrupted by an irate Bukit Antarabangsa resident who demanded to know about the report on the tragic Dec 6 landslide there.

And as the minister was making his announcement here, about 200 residents in Tanjung Bungah, Penang, were gathered to protest against what they claimed was dangerous hillslope development in their area.

The minister said development on hill sides should only be carried out on properly engineered slopes and under strict supervision and maintenance.

Following the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide which killed five people and forced thousands to evacuate their homes, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had called on local authorities to ban all hillside development.

Najib subsequently said the Government might adopt Hong Kong’s guidelines of hillside development.

Mohd Zin said hillslope development fell under the supervision of local authorities as they were the ones to issue approvals for construction to begin, adding that the Government and central agencies could only advise.

Developers keen on hillside projects must also be prepared to set aside a bigger budget to ensure all safety standards were met and the slopes were stable, he added.

Where is the BA’s Landslide Report ?

From the Star. 

Sunday February 15, 2009

Irate resident gate-crashes press conference 

PETALING JAYA: An irate Bukit Antarabangsa resident gate-crashed a press conference conducted by Works Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohammed yesterday, demanding the report on the tragic Dec 6 landslide.

The man’s persistent questioning took Mohd Zin, who was fielding questions from reporters after launching a seminar on hillside development, by surprise.

“Excuse me, my name is Dr Rafick and I’m a resident at Bukit Antarabangsa, and I want to know when the report on the landslide will be out,” he spoke up in the midst of questions from other reporters.

When Mohd Zin told him “to respect” his press conference and that he was addressing the reporters, the man argued that “this was a matter of national interest.”

After the press conference, the man approached the minister again just as the latter was sitting down for his tea break despite attempts by other parties to calm him down.

The man, Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan Abdul Rahman, claimed he had written several e-mails to the Public Works Department, Public Works Institute of Malaysia (Ikram) and the ministry’s office for a copy of the report.

“There have been no replies so far,” he said.

When Mohd Zin told him that the report still had to be discussed at the Cabinet, the man protested but later acquiesced to leave the room after giving the minister his card.

Met later, Dr Rafick said he intended to initiate a lawsuit against the Government for a copy of the report.

Gotong Royong

Salam Semua Teman2 JKP Z5. Pihak MPAJ dgn ksama JKP Z5 akan adakan gotong royong mbersihkan surau / SAR pd hari Sabtu 3 Jan 09, 8.00 pagi. Sila bwa kain buruk, mop, bulu ayam, baldi, berus2, sabun serbuk dll yg patut. Pakai baju JKP Z5. Maklum / jemput kpd jiran2.

Latest News Update

Tues 30 Dec, @ 11.15pm
1. At 2.30pm YenW9 n HenriW7 met up with MP Ampang YB Zuraidah, requesting for quick response to attend slope at W9. 2.At 3.00pm-met with YB Azminofficer to status on administration of rental Subsidy,reconnection of water n electicity and close monitering by MPAJ. At 4.00pm – At 4pm – At JKR Briefing. YB Azmin secured appointment for meeting with YDP MPAJ,Superview n JKR since Superview is not responding fast enough.
5. PLEASE BE INFORMED MEMORIAL SERVICE TO PAY RESPECT TO 5 DECEASED WILL BE HELD AT TRAGEDY SITE Jalan Bukit Antarabangsa tonight Wednesday 8.00pm.

Drainage Issues At Bukit Antarabangsa

As requested I have met with JKR, Dr. Hassan and Ir. Kamar regarding a proposal I made for pumping trapped water from behind the burm that the landslide created. In a meeting with JKR at the site office, we agreed that the best method for removing the water was by natural drainage. My reservation on the scheme was my understanding that there was little or no funding for this proposal. It seems like funds are available. The final decision was to divert the existing stream away from Impian Selatan apartments into a temporary reservior that would be created by earthworks. From the reservior the water will be channeled through large drain pipes to the existing storm drains at two locations at Jln Bukit Mewah 2. One behind the housing and one in front of the housing. The large piping will be used to run the water directly into the major drains, significantly reducing the risk of flooding and further erosion. This work has already started this afternoon . When the drains are re-established along Bukit Antarabangsa , the temporary reservior and associated piping can be dismantled. Plan B is to use large pumps to pump water from the monsoon drain in from the Impian Selatan apartments by hose over the burm and into the existing monsoon drain in Jln Bukit Antarabangsa, downstream. I am still working on costs and sourcing for equiptment. I have suggested to the JKR that they evaluate using the pump and flood mitigation resources within the government to see if some saving in cost could be realized. As you know there will be another meeting at the JKR site office to provide a briefing and to discuss other proposals for drainage as needed. While at JKR, I noticed that they are working away at opening Jln Bukit Antarabangsa again. It is hard to give an exact date for the occasion because of uncertainties with weather. They are now at about 73% complete with earth removal

James B Priester

JKR Meeting

Please be informed the JKR meeting has been postponed to the 30th December, Tuesday at 4.00pm.

Body of missing landslide victim found

From BERNAMA/ NST

KUALA LUMPUR, TUES:

The body of the fifth victim who perished in the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide, a Sri Lankan, was detected about 50 metres from her employer’s house, the late Dr Yogeswari, who was also killed in the Dec 6 incident.

While confirming the find, Selangor Police Chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said the Fire and Rescue personnel discovered the maid’s body, known as Mary, at about 6.30pm.

At press time, the rescue team were still trying to retrieve the victim’s body from the rubble.

The 4am landslide which destroyed 14 bungalows in Taman Bukit Mewah, Bukit Antarabangsa, also claimed four lives. The four victims were Shaiful Khas Datuk Shahrudin, 20, Dr S Yogeswari, 40, accountant Eng Yee Peng, 30, and an Indonesian maid, Surinah, in her 30s.

Engineer: Inform owners in risky areas

Residents should ask the basis upon which the government deemed the areas to be risky, says Dr Gue. File photo.

KUALA LUMPUR: Owners of houses in the 15 areas that are deemed to be prone to landslides should be given more details on their situation, said geotechnical engineer Dr Gue See Sew.

“Owners should look at the announcement with concern. They should ask what options they have now that their housing areas are considered risky.

“It is a reasonable demand,” he said.

Dr Gue was asked to comment on Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim statement identifying the 15 hillside areas, including Bukit Antarabangsa, in the Ampang and Pandan constituencies as facing the risk of landslides.

Khalid said the areas would come under continuous monitoring by local authorities.

Dr Gue said the residents should also ask the basis upon which the government deemed the areas to be risky.

He, however, declined to comment on the situation as he did not know the details and had not been involved in the assessment.

“It would not be fair for me to comment. I am sure the relevant agencies have done their work,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association said the government’s assistance to the victims of the landslide sounded more like a business plan than aid.

Its president Datuk Ng Seing Liong said that instead of offering discounts for state-owned projects, it should have given compensation to the families who lived in the 14 houses completely destroyed by the landslide.

“The government can still pay the families ex-gratia without claiming responsibility,” said Ng.

He said the authorities should stop blaming developers on landslide tragedies as “it takes two to tango”.

“Yes, developers do the projects, but developers can’t do it without approval from local authorities,” he said.

Ng also described Khalid’s naming of 15 hillsides at risk of landslide as vague.

“Please specify the places because this will only create unnecessary worry,” he said.

On whether the value of property in the areas would fall, Ng said it was still too early to say because it all depended on demand and supply.