Khalid Ibrahim riding on Bt Antarabangsa with zest!

PETALING JAYA (Dec 19, 2008) : Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim will announce the findings of the Public Works Department (PWD) on the Dec 7 landslide at Taman Mewah in Bukit Antrabangsa on Sunday.

The announcement and immediate action plans for the area will be based on the geotechnical report on the affected area and four other surrounding housing estates, he said in a statement to the media.

Selangor had initially expected to receive a full report from the PWD before today but the report was only made available to the state government via the police only today, Abdul Khalid said.

He said: "This report will be scrutinised by the relevant agencies to determine the safety of the five housing estates in the affected area."

"I hope the parties involved can be patient and allow the state to come up with the solutions that will benefit the Rakyat," he added.

"We acknowledge that development in necessary to boost the productivity in Selangor but whatever decision we make will be in the interest of the public," said Abdul Khalid.

The briefing for residents by Khalid will beheld at Bukit Antrabangsa at 10am on Sunday.

Khalid to make public findings of PWD probe into Dec 7 landslide ...
The Sun Daily


BERITADARIGUNUNG: Kalau ada sesiapa singgah di Ijok, jangan lupa parking depan pejabat Wakil Rakyat. Anda akan lihat bahawa warna kuning/putih bukan warna yang dapat diterima untuk garisan parking wakil rakyat. Everybody has to stand out, be visible, even the parking lines. Apatah lagi dengan berita sensasi/derita/kecewa bukit antarabangsa. Khalid tidak akan lepaskan peluang untuk berdiri dan be visible walau atas serpih-serpih kehidupan dan kekecewaan. Now, that is politics at its worst.

REALITY WITH MALAYSIAKINI: A wicked political opportunist.

When politic is issue based, then politicians cling on anything that has breaking news status. They rush and hang on with madness. Lee Way Loon in Malaysiakini put perspective on the recent Bukit Antarabangsa Higeki [tragedy]. Even Azmin Ali, the MP was there. But Rela, city council, Bomba and Police guys were bombarded with all sort of accusations. They were seen not doing much and quick. Of course we have to know these Bukit Antarabangsa dwellers deeper to understand things. Even TUMIRAN MOHD KASDI showed them no mercy. The dwellers are not the only victims in this higeki. All because of the wickedness of this tragedy.

From Malaysiakini
Residents tick off politicians for seeking 'cheap publicity'
Lee Way Loon | Dec 12, 08 7:07pm
Politicians from both ruling and opposition parties were ticked off for trying to gain cheap publicity from the tragedy.

2. I visualise the days when lamps at night were kerosene lighted. Nostrils were blackened. Shoes were all worn out. We went to school learning the same thing, the a b c and 1 2 3 of life.

3. Now lets see how can differing political slants can sit and work together for some thing righteous, on a day when begging for sensationalization is forbidden. [Work together to help landslide victims, political parties told Malaysia Star, Malaysia ]

Residents affected by the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide are unhappy with political parties using aid and relief supply distribution efforts to promote themselves.

“Both sides of the political divide have been heavily advertising their parties when they should have set aside their differences and worked together in the interest of the 3,000 residents here,” said Dr Mohamad Rafick Khan, spokesman for the newly-formed Bukit Antarabangsa Residents Association.

He said the political parties also seemed like they were competing with each other to see who was better.

“This is bad because we voted for the politicians and expected them to behave in a proper manner,” Dr Mohamad Rafick told a press conference to announce the formation of the new association yesterday.

The association was set up by residents from eight housing areas and condominiums around Bukit Antarabangsa to look into safety and work out solutions to problems which arose from the landslide.

Dr Mohamad Rafick said one political party had even hung its banner at the Taman Bukit Utama operations centre which was set up by residents following the landslide on Dec 6.

“I understand that the leaders were eager to help and we thank them for their good intentions,” he said.

“But I believe it would be better if aid was channelled through a common agency such as the Social Welfare Department.”

Asked to comment on the Public Accounts Committee’s call for a new law to govern all hillside development projects, Dr Mohamad Rafick said the association welcomed it.

beritadarigunung

CLIMBING MALAYSIAKINI: on 99 hillside projects

Qu'est-ce que vous avez dit? [What did you say?].... a simple question to what has been mentioned in Parliament as reported by Pathma Subramaniam in Malaysiakini. A total of 99 hillside projects had been approved by the Selangor government under then menteri besar Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo. [ 99 hillslope projects approved by Khir Toyo, says S'gor MB Pathma Subramaniam ]

2. Lets take a tour through The New Straits Time on the issue of Higeki Bukit Antarabangsa.



The blame game has begun. While victims are trying to come to terms with the tragedy, and while those trapped are wondering how they would get basic needs like food, the former and current menteri besar of Selangor are trading blows. It began when former menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo lashed out at the present administration, accusing it of not being on top of the problem.

"During my time, the state Public Works Department, with the assistance of the Public Works Institute of Malaysia (Ikram), the Geology Department and the Drainage and Irrigation Department, provided reports every three months on hillslope conditions in Hulu Kelang," Dr Khir said.

"This started after the last landslide in the area, which happened in Kampung Pasir in May, 2006."

Dr Khir said the currenthousing area where the landslide happened was not approved during his tenure but more than 15 years ago.
He said during his tenure, the state had established a special committee headed by the state secretary to oversee all hillslope developments.

"There was no problem then. I don't know what happened after the new administration came in," Dr Khir said.

"The state government should be more strict. During our time, the state government collected RM6 million in fines from developers who did not build proper retention ponds. We even stopped some projects."

In an immediate response, Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim came out with guns blazing, denying allegations that the state administration had failed to monitor or be strict with developments on hillslopes.

Khalid said there were more than 90 ongoing hillside projects in the state and that it had ordered the developers to submit monthly reports on the progress of their work, adding that all these projects were approved by the previous administration.

"The state cannot rescind the development orders given to these developers as there are legal implications involved."

He said the state government would blacklist developers and companies that failed to adhere to its directives and was even prepared to face the legal consequences of stopping the projects.

Khalid said the Pakatan Rakyat government had placed a blanket ban on development in Class Three and Four slopes, and that this was among the first decisions taken by the new administration.

These two categories refer to slopes with steep inclines of more than 20 degrees.

Following consultation with various agencies and parties, Khalid had on Sunday order-ed all developments on steep hillsides in Selangor to be suspended with immediate effect.

State executive councillor in charge of local authorities Ronnie Liu said he wanted the previous state administration to explain how it approved a total of 114 Class 3 and 4 hillslope projects that were deemed a risk to occupants of properties there.

"Looks like they have not learnt from the 1993 Highland Towers tragedy. I can't imagine how they could approve projects which could endanger the lives of its residents."

[ Khalid and Khir trade blows over hillside projects
New Straits Times, Malaysia ]


And lets agree at least that politics will eventually separate man amongs boys as they say, as we crawl up the hillslopes of Bukit Antarabangsa searching for true meaning of Higeki........

HIGEKI IN MALAYSIAKINI: Bukit antarabangsa soil and soul.

I suppose man or woman appears in two forms; body and soul. As I flick through Malaysiakini and other media, Higeki of Bukit Antarabangsa is haunting. This 'She would be alive if they had helped' in Malaysiakini provides a new milestone on one's belief and hope. This is too special to be missed. [Higeki is tragedy in japanese]

2. I like to pen down a few key points out of this issue especially on areas which is detrimental to the soul and belief. We are being tested and stretched to the limit from time to time, and this Higeki is dissecting our soul and sanity.

3. I remembered some years ago, Bush the president praised Abdullah Badawi almost to the brim on the handling of citizen's voices by Abdullah's regime [borrowing Anwar's favourite word for government] . Yes true in its truest meaning, but not necessarily so in holding up the delicate multi-coloured social fabric of Malaysia. Those long in the business of journalism may incline to agree with Bush. Hardcore politicians also to a certain extent, flourish in this cool political climate. But what good will it do us Malaysians and Malaysia the motherland.

4. I saw a man on television last night, [I think his name is TUMIRAN MOHD KASDI] letting off his anger to some unidentified persons in the Higeki. YB Azmin Ali was there keeping his coolest cool. The man swept everything, from the Rela guys, the government vehicles, the townboard personnels etc, for not rendering adequate help. There is some resemblance to another incident some years back when Taman TTDI Jaya, Shah Alam was submerged. Again, a man blew his top! Patience was stretched to its limit.

5. No question about it. Everyone sympathized with the Higeki of Bukit Antarabangsa. When the man mentioned about "datang ramai-ramai, nak tunjuk glamour je....", then similar sympathy should be given to the rela guys and townboard guys. What are their term of reference?. What are they supposed to do there? Who is in charge?

6. What has the soil in the Higeki done to our souls. Shall we proceed on some soul searching within ourself to really appreciate what is Higeki and what is our responsibility. On some instances, job and functions has to be very detailed and precise, but on this Higeki, those present on the soil of Bukit Antarabangsa must realise that there are facets of soul everywhere; Helplessness, sadness and anger.

7. And on the issue of She would be alive if.. , i cant find a more suitable and proper words to deliberate on this, and all I can say at this moment is you do have our sympathy.

Yee Ping's relatives hugging each other after identifying the body. Her two-month old baby daughter, however, was rescued after being feared dead earlier. - 7 December, 2008... The star



beritadarigunung

BUKIT ANTARABANGSA: : Search on for Sri Lankan maid

All 3,000 residents in the critical area of Bukit Antarabangsa have been evacuated.

Search and rescue efforts are now concentrated on finding the missing Sri Lankan woman, Lourdes Mary, who is the maid of Dr N. Yogeswari, the veterinarian who was among the four killed in Saturday’s landslide.

Selangor police chief DCP Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said rescue operations for Lourdes Mary, who is in her 30s, was ongoing but often stopped due to soil instability.

He said excavation works to clear the fallen tonnes of earth and rubble was halted for the second consecutive day.

DCP Khalid also said a bridge had been erected to allow trapped residents to get out.

The 300m bridge, the second constructed by the Army, was completed at 6.30pm yesterday. It connects Taman Bukit Mewah and Impiana Selatan Apartments. Residents from several housing estates have begun using the bridge.

DCP Khalid said residents could retrieve their documents and belongings before 6.30pm when it got too dark and dangerous.

He also said the Romanian ambassador and his wife living in Oakley Garden were evacuated with the help of a police four-wheel drive.

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said evacuated residents would know if it was safe for them to return to their homes within the next 10 days.

He said the authorities were keeping tabs on the area to ascertain if there were further soil movements in the area.

“The study can be finalised faster but we are giving ourselves 10 days to ensure everything is well at the site,” he said here yesterday.

Khalid said Ikram would conduct a soil test on hillside projects to inform potential buyers on the stability of the areas. The study would be carried out over a period of three months as it involved over 90 hillside projects that had been approved by the previous state government.

Search on for Sri Lankan maid Malaysia Star

PM: Stop all hillside projects

KUALA LUMPUR: Enough! No more hillside housing projects at Bukit Antarabangsa, orders Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, meanwhile, calls on developers not to lobby or pressure the Government for any building permits for hillside development.

Heart-rending moment: Najib and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor visiting the tragedy site yesterday.

Abdullah was aware the decision would not go down well with some parties.

“I am sure this will incur the wrath of individual land owners and developers, but enough is enough,” he told reporters after visiting the landslide-hit area yesterday afternoon.

He ordered all hillside housing projects at Bukit Antarabangsa to halt immediately pending a soil stability study by the Malaysian Public Works Institute (Ikram).

“Future projects will also not go on to prevent any further worsening of the soil conditions at the hilly area,” he said.

Abdullah did not wish to take any further risks after nature gave two warnings – first in 1993 when Highland Towers collapsed, killing 48 people, and with the devastation yesterday.

In between, there had been various incidences of landslides around the Bukit Antarabangsa area.

“But Malaysians never want to learn from past experiences. They want good views while developers only seek to profit; but no one takes safety and soil stability into consideration.

Status report: Khalid briefing Abdullah on the landslide situation at Bukit Antarabangsa yesterday.

“We will be courting more tragedies if we do not (show) care and protect hillsides. Developers will stand to lose more,” he said.

Abdullah said early intervention was necessary. If slopes showed any possibility of weaknesses, remedial work must be carried out fast.

He added that the soil at the landslide-hit area was unstable as it was a water catchment area.

Abdullah said there was a building project nearby and this could have been another contributing factor.

He said Ikram had conducted a study at Bukit Antarabangsa in the past but it was stopped.

The institute would be asked to head a new team to conduct a fresh study.

Meanwhile, Najib said developers should not lobby or pressure the Government for any building permits for hillside development.

He added that preventive measures must be taken to avoid hillside tragedies.

At about 12.15pm, Najib, who visited the tragedy site, said the residents would be evacuated until after the search and rescue operations.

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat who had just arrived in London said he was saddened after learning about the tragedy.

“I wish to extend my condolences to the grieving families who lost loved ones in the tragedy.

“For those displaced following the landslide and pining for hope to find family and friends, I pray that they will be strong in such trying times,” Ong said.

He said he had directed his political secretary to mobilise the party’s efforts and render whatever assistance to the victims.

PM: Stop all hillside projects
Malaysia Star, Malaysia -

BUKIT ANTARABANGSA TRAGEDY: Act on root cause, says expert

It is time to take stock of existing abandoned projects located on hill slopes, said Dr Gue See Sew, a geo-technical engineer. He said the authorities had to take stringent measures to deal with existing abandoned projects since nobody was maintaining them.

Even existing properties had to undergo similar strict procedures to ensure their safety, he added.

Gue said this when asked to comment on the predawn landslide in Taman Bukit Utama and Taman Bukit Mewah at Bukit Antarabangsa yesterday, which killed at least three people.

Several incomplete houses were seen near the landslide sites and it was believed that they may have partly contributed to the incident, due to the area not being maintained.
Upset by the latest incident, Gue, who was also a member of the Highland Towers Committee, said the government should look at the root cause of the incident and mitigate it fast.

The geo-technical engineer was at the landslide site to meet with officials from the Public Works Department and Ampang Jaya Municipal Council.

"We can learn from Hong Kong's comprehensive Slope Safety System.

"They even have an inventory of hill slopes. It allows the authorities to systematically screen all of them.

"If there is a slope found to be substandard, the land owner will receive a Dangerous Hillside Order."

After receiving the order, Gue said, the owner may be required to carry out investigation work and, if necessary, upgrading work on the slope.

"Should he or she refuse to do so, the authorities will do it for them but the owner will still bear the cost. Otherwise, a caveat will be lodged on the property.

It was reported that by 2000, the risk of landslides from old man-made slopes in Hong Kong had been reduced to less than 50 per cent, compared with the number in 1977. And, by 2010, the risk will be further reduced by another 50 per cent.

Meanwhile, Public Works Department (PWD) slope engineering unit senior deputy director Dr H.M. Abdul Aziz Hanifah said the cause of yesterday's disaster may be a problem more than three decades old.

Aziz said a lot of development had taken place at the Bukit Antarabangsa area since the 1970s.

"The surrounding slopes may not have been cleared and developed properly. I stress on the 'may' because the actual cause of the failure is still unknown and has to be investigated."

The frequent rains at this time of the year was another contributing factor to the landslide, he added.

"Many slope failures occur during the rainy season. Those staying around hill slopes should inspect the surrounding areas and inform their local authority if they see signs of slope failure."

PWD director-general Da- tuk Seri Dr Judin Abd Karim said the emphasis on the first four days would be on search and rescue.

BUKIT ANTARABANGSA TRAGEDY: Act on root cause, says expert
New Straits Times, Malaysia

SYMPATHY IN MALAYSIAKINI: Bukit Antarabangsa and its issues.

Bukit Antarabangsa landslide was not the first and it may not be the last. It was only days after 2 sisters were buried alive at their Ulu Yam home in Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor. How are we going to justify all these? How are going to pacify the survivors. Now, what do we have? Of course, this an attempt to show more than sympathy in Malaysiakini.

From Malaysiakini
Landslide tragedy: 4 killed, one missing
breaking news updated 8.30pm A massive landslide at
4am today buried 14 bungalows in Bukit Antarabangsa, Hulu Klang. So far, four bodies have been recovered, with only one missing as at 8.30pm.
PM: No more hillside developments
Bkt Antarabangsa tragedy The PM says all state governments must play their role to prevent tragedies such as the one in Bukit Antarabangsa.
Thousands forced to evacuate
Bkt Antarabangsa tragedy Between 3,000 and 5,000 residents living in Bukit Antarabangsa have been ordered to evacuate after the massive landslide this morning as reports show that earth movement in the area is continuing.

I suppose it is the will to deal with the environment in a more friendly manner. Let's begin to have a look at text book version of landslide.





Those who studied Civil Engineering or Soil mechanic to be specific, will appreciate the probability of landslide occurance. There are always that perculiar prerequisite of landslide; heavy rainfall that will make soil particles very fluid and behave like a big ball that can slide. Lets not touch on shear strength, moisture content etc or other parameters because that will be very academic.

There are things that we can do actually. Control water as much as we can and understand soil, underground water flow, soil seepage, vegetation, trees and the whole big environment. For the expert, of course, they want to look at the hydro geological and geomechanical behaviour in large slope movements. Some form of monitoring processes and feedback systems are very much needed for hillside developments. Lets do a little bit of investment.

I would very much like the idea of Teresa Kok opening books on soil mechanics and start giving ideas. Street fights or street walks are mundane and noncommital. Lets do some serious things.

Lets not point fingers at anyone now. Whether it is PWD or Local authority or politicians or us the ordinary folks, we do have certain responsibility as far as environment is concerned.

We thought it is best to leave environmental issues to the environmentalist. No!

May God bless us all.

beritadarigunung

Families Claim Bodies Of Three Killed In Bukit Antarabangsa Landslide

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- The remains of the three people killed so far in the landslides in Taman Bukit Utama and Taman Bukit Mewah, Bukit Antarabangsa, were claimed today by their respective families.

The body of Shaiful Khas Shahrudin, 20, was claimed by his family at about 4pm for burial at the Al-Ridzuan Mosque cemetery, Hulu Kelang, after Asar prayer.

Shaiful, the younger of two sons of Datuk Shahrudin Adnan, 63, was buried under an avalanche of earth that destroyed the family's two-storey bungalow.

The body of S. Yogeswari, 40, a veterinarian, was also claimed by her family at 3.30pm. She was killed in the landslide while trying to save her 10-year-old son.

According to a relative, she would be cremated at the Cheras Crematorium tomorrow.

The third dead victim, accountant Eng Yee Peng, 30, who gave birth two months ago, was among a family of eight who lived in one of the affected bungalows.

It is learnt that her body will be cremated on Monday.

-- BERNAMA

Bukit Antarabangsa Landslide: photos NST

Rescuers delivering food to trapped residents of Bukit Antarabangsa. Thousands of them cannot leave their homes as the access road is blocked

Bukit Antarabangsa: the whereabout. and photos

Rescue workers helping to evacuate people from the vicinity of the landslide in Bukit Antarabangsa. A total of 2,000 people have been evacuated from the vicinity. The military had to be roped in to create a slip road to enable trapped victims to be evacuated from the area.

Police Airwing officers assisting in evacuating an elderly woman from the landslide site in Bukit Antarabangsa. - 6 December, 2008

One of the bungalows hit by the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide.

Rescue workers helping to evacuate people from the vicinity of the landslide in Bukit Antarabangsa. A total of 2,000 people have been evacuated from the vicinity. The military had to be roped in to create a slip road to enable trapped victims to be evacuated from the area. - 6 December, 2008

Rescue workers helping to evacuate people from the vicinity of the landslide in Bukit Antarabangsa. A total of 2,000 people have been evacuated from the vicinity. The military had to be roped in to create a slip road to enable trapped victims to be evacuated from the area. - 6 December, 2008

One of the bungalows hit by a massive landslide in Bukit Antarabangsa on Saturday morning. - 6 December, 2008

A total of 160 police, army, Ampang Jaya City Council (MPAJ) and medical personnel are involved in the search and rescue operation at the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide tragedy. - 6 December, 2008

Massive landslide hits Bukit Antarbangsa in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. - 6 December, 2008

Gallery from The Star
Photo Gallery

Time for learning - Bukit Antarabangsa is not the first, won't be the last

Posted by: engleberthumpadink

How many lives have been lost this month in landslides. It makes me weep, how many more lives have been ruined, or destroyed due to the loss of loved ones?

Bukit Antarabangar is a miracle, in that dozens more were not lost, with 10 acres worth of landslide on a populous hill only 3 dead is truly a miracle.
My heart goes out to all the families who have lost loved ones and friends over the last few weeks.

When will city hall actually care about these deaths and the disasterous amount of cash spent on fixing these devastated areas. This week we have 2 dead children in Hulu Yam, 15 crushed cars in another miraculous near miss in Damansara, a few months ago was Medan Damansara now another tragedy in Bkt Antarabangsar.

I've been reading a lot of Malaysian history books lately, and do you know that in when the Kinta Land Office was established in Batu Gajah (over 100 years ago) the soil serveys for the whole of Malaya stated that hill slopes shouldn't be touched, as they were catchment for the vast amount of monsoon rains, the soil simply wasn't stable enough and any tampering with them would result in massive landslides and loss of topsoil through erosion.

For over 100 years this has been known, and yet. Here you are, wherever you find a hill in the Klang Valley they're going chop chop chop.

Oooh, erosion, fix with a plastic sheet sure can.

Whatever.

Pak Lah, today I stand by you and say Yes, Stop the hillslope developments, but not just on that one hill, look around you, it happens over and over again, yet still the permits to chop chop chop are granted, despite protests. despite EIAs despite everything that makes sense these delevopers always seem to settle the issue.

Where next, Bukit Gasing, Federal Hill, Kenny Hills, Taman Pantai, Mont Kiara, Bukit Desa? All of these places are dangerously built, and yet people still don't seem to care about the loss of lives, the enviromental destruction, the plain and simple facts that stare you in the face are ignored.

I once again extend my deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased.

Time for learning - Bukit Antarabangsa is not the first, won't be ...
Malaysia Star, Malaysia

Lessons from Highland Towers lie buried in Bukit Antarabangsa rubble

By Baradan Kuppusamy

DEC 6 — One of the first actions the government took when Highland Towers collapsed in 1993, killing 48 people, was to announce a ban on hillside development.

Today the government announced another ban on hillside development following the tragedy in Bukit Antarabangsa where at least four people are dead, many injured and nearly 5,000 evacuated and a large upscale housing area declared a disaster zone.

This latest tragedy happened about a kilometre from the Highland Towers disaster that struck 15 years ago almost to the day.

In between the intervening years hillside development has been taking place and at an alarming rate despite the tragedies. Every November/December when heavy rains start, landslides happen and policymakers usually passed off the tragedies as an "act of God".

The forgotten lessons of the the Highland Towers tragedy, if complied with, would have saved many lives.

The official inquiry that followed and the drawn-out court case over the Highland Tower tragedy highlighted the failure of the local authorities to control indiscriminate hillside development.

It also fingered hillside development laws that were rudimentary at best and worst, the Federal Court held in 2006 that local councils were not liable for damage caused by landslides and collapses — virtually giving local councils total immunity against negligence suits.

The court found that the specific causes of the collapse were damage done by water that was diverted by another development project up the hill and which flowed behind the Highland Tower blocks.

The same reasons can be expected for the Jalan Damansara landslide yesterday and today's tragedy at Bukit Antarabangsa — damage done by uncontrolled, unmanaged water flow and rudimentary retaining walls unable to bear the sudden increase in load — mud, boulders, debris — that were loosen by water.

The Federal Court in the Highland Towers tragedy noted the same cause and effect, saying "an extensive area of land was denuded of trees and water flowed over this area carrying eroded soil, silt. These caused or contributed to the collapse of Block 1 of the Highland Towers."

But the lessons are not learnt and the tragedy is repeated, said lawyers involved with the Highland Towers case.

"People, policymakers, local authorities and developers did not learn the lessons," said a retired lawyer who was briefly involved in the case. "The reason is the huge profit that is to be made."

"The profit in upscale hillside development is enormous all round and everybody — officials, developers and lawyers — are willing to close an eye," he said.

"The structures look strong and they are strong but unless you manage the surrounding area of a hill and control all the development activities, damage would be done over time leading to a tragedy," the lawyer said.

"A hill is a holistic structure… you cannot develop one side and ignore the other sides. Geologically, everything is inter-connected on a hill," he said.

The shocking part of the Highland Towers tragedy is that local councils were absolved for their failures and held not liable for losses suffered by anyone should a building collapse.

Coming as it does from the Federal Court, the matter is decided unless it is reviewed by the same court. As such the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council then and now is absolved and not liable because the decision still stands.

In the Highland Towers case the council was held not liable for losses suffered by the 73 residents of Block 2 and 3 and in the deaths of the 48 when Block 1 collapsed.

The 2-1 ruling held that local authorities like MPAJ were given full immunity under Section 95 (2) of the Street, Drainage & Building Act 1974 (Act 133) from claims for the pre-collapse period.

The majority decision delivered by Justice Abdul Hamid Mohamad said that if the local councils were made liable, it would open the floodgates to further claims for economic loss, and this would deplete the council's resources meant for the provision of basic services and infrastructure.

He held that it was unfair for rate payers' funds to be used to pay negligent suits.

"In my view, the provision of basic necessities for the general public has priority over compensation for pure economic loss of some individuals, who are clearly better off than the majority of the residents in the local council area," he said.

Lessons from Highland Towers lie buried in Bukit Antarabangsa rubble
The Malaysian Insider, Malaysia

Too soon to probe cause of landslide: Public Works Dept

By SIM LEOI LEOI

PUTRAJAYA: It is still too soon to know or carry out an investigation into the cause of the massive landslide in Bukit Antarabangsa as the Public Works Department is mainly engaged in search and rescue work.

Its deputy director-general N. Selvanayagam said the department was currently assisting the police and the Fire and Rescue Department in their search efforts for landslide victims.

“We are currently in the first phase of the operations, which is search and rescue of all victims. We have identified the scar zone of the landslide area and are now monitoring the slope for any potential high risk to areas adjoining the site.

“This will be a continuous review and assessment of the danger because we don’t want the slope to collapse on the rescue personnel as well,” he said in an interview from the landslide site on Saturday.

Selvanayagam said the department was also providing the rescue personnel with equipment such as excavators and lorries to transport the soil and rubble from the site.

“At the same time, we are identifying the routes of the drainage in the area so that there won’t be any further impounding of water. Only after all this is completed, can we conduct a probe on the cause of the landslide.

“At present, it is too early to say anything,” he said, adding that the department had mobilised staff from its branches in Selangor and Gombak for the operation.

“Besides staff from these two branches, we have workers from our Roads and Slopes Division to help the police. This is just the first group of people we sent out today.

“We will ask for more deployment if necessary because we need to provide supervision on the slopes at all times,” he said.

Selvanayagam said the continuous monitoring was also necessary as the Bukit Antarabangsa area had been hit several times by landslide, the most recent of which was in Kg Pasir nearby.

When contacted, Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed, who is currently in Mecca, said he had already informed his officers to provide him with the latest reports on the landslide.

“I will be getting all the details from the officer. I will fly back immediately after the haj,” he said.

Too soon to probe cause of landslide: Public Works Dept
Malaysia Star, Malaysia

Related stories:
Massive landslide at Bukit Antarabangsa
Personal account from ground zero
I heard explosion before landslide: Witness
Bkt Antarabangsa was not at risk: Drainage Dept
No more permits for hillside projects: Najib
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Police Instruct Apartment Residents In Bukit Antarabangsa To Evacuate

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- The police have instructed between 3000 and 5000 residents living in apartments and condominiums in the vicinity of the landslide in the Bukit Antarabangsa area in Hulu Klang, to evacuate.

Police Instruct Apartment Residents In Bukit Antarabangsa To Evacuate
Bernama