KUALA LUMPUR – A long-term action plan costing the government RM10 million will be implemented by the Irrigation and Drainage Department to avoid future landslides, including in Kemensah Heights.
Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said that the plan will cover about 250m of land and involve the installation of sheet piles on slope areas.
In a press conference to address Friday’s landslide at Kemensah Heights, Tuan Ibrahim said that the Irrigation and Drainage Department is awaiting the completion of a Minerals and Geoscience Department report before proceeding with repair works.
“The report should be done by tomorrow, and we will begin the necessary works immediately,” he said, adding that the monsoon weather is another factor to consider when carrying out works to stabilise areas affected by the landslide.
He also said that the Irrigation and Drainage Department is also anticipating a RM1 million allocation requested by International Trade and Industry Minister and Gombak MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali for immediate remedial works.
Illegal construction by residents in Kemensah Heights has been identified as among the factors that led to the landslide affecting 19 double-storey terrace houses in the area on Friday night.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan had said earlier today that, based on his observations at the site, construction in the affected areas were in breach of the government’s safety rules.
This includes the expansion of houses along slopes involving residents with large families.
Meanwhile, Tuan Ibrahim reminded the public to take note of building regulations in areas with slopes of more than 25 degrees.
“To build anything in this area, approval must be obtained from the relevant agencies and research must first be done,” Tuan Ibrahim said, adding that river reserves should not have buildings around the area at all.
“Because of housing developments, we have discovered that, sometimes, there are houses in the area of river reserves. This is troubling because we have no choice but to take action against these homeowners as the presence of their houses complicates the process of installing sheet piles.”
The state Disaster Management Authority has declared the affected area in Kemensah Heights a disaster site over fears that earth movements may still occur. – The Vibes, September 19, 2021
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