'In the aftermath of the
shocking wall collapse in the posh Bukit Setiawangsa ... DBKL will go in search
of all such structures to draw up a hazard map.' ...Was it really that
shocking the wall collapsed - it was so steep and massive! This should
remind us of the June 2011 tragedy in Hulu Langat, and the on going concern of
residents across the country.
I pulled out a few
highlights from our earlier blog entry, after the June 2011 tragedy.
From information gathered in the
newspapers an estimated 58 housing estates in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor
situated in hilly areas face the risk of landslides, based on a Public Works
Department (PWD) study last year, in 2010.
According to
the papers, the study shows that all 58 housing estates are situated within
four local council areas, namely Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Ampang Jaya
Municipal Council (MPAJ), Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) and Selayang
Municipal Council (MPS).
The highest number of areas at
risk, 39, are listed under MPAJ. Among the areas sited as highest risk
include Bukit Antarabangsa, Taman Melawati, Kampung Pasir, Taman Wangsa Ukay,
Ukay Heights, Ukay Perdana, Kampung Tengah, Taman Keramat and Sering Ukay.
Based on the disappointing
outcome of the Highland Tower court case, it was re-affirmed, in court, that
the local councils cannot be held liable for any tragedy that may result from
the council’s approvals of any development.
What
has happened to these high risk areas identified back in 2010, and where are
they exactly? Will the new studies to be drawn up by the government utilize
these existing studies and information?
Why do we keep conducting studies to find a solution only after another
crisis has taken place?
It
is no wonder residents are against developments such as the KL Outer Ring Road
and other hill slope developments, especially those that are ‘up-slope’ of
existing homes and neighborhoods.
It
is unfair to keep telling us that current technology is safe, when ‘current
technology’ that was used 10 years ago is now declared to be unsafe, at the
fault of no one. What real changes are being made to rectify these persistent
problems, to ensure the safety of the community and the environment?
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