[UPDATED] Landslide: IIM, MACA buildings sealed off after ground movement detected

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM) and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy (MACA) buildings are temporarily sealed off following yesterday’s landslide along Persiaran Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin here.

Sentul OCPD Beh Eng Lai said this is because ground movement has been detected near the IIM fence.

According to Bernama TV’s tweets, he said a meeting will be held with relevant agencies and technical departments to take other preventive measures, such as installing piles and canvas covers to stabilise the area.

Meanwhile, Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh said in a press conference after her visit that City Hall and the mayor should enhance its Engineering Department that monitors slope movements and landslide hotspots.

“There have been more than 100 landslides in the Segambut parliamentary constituency in 2022 and I was made to understand that the department may not have enough human resources to monitor such cases.

“I’ve also raised the issue in Parliament last year due to the many reports of landslides in Segambut. I’m also here because this landslide took place in my constituency.”

While the 76 people, mostly administrative staff of MACA and IIM, were evacuated yesterday, IIM has issued a work from home order for its employees.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday confirmed that it had evacuated a total of 45 people, including 22 officers, 16 cleaners, and seven occupants at its quarters (officers’ families).

The 1.30pm incident yesterday destroyed the academy’s main entrance and guardhouse.

The Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department said no one was injured due to the incident while officers from Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Public Works Department conducted slope monitoring works.

Beh said yesterday that initial forensic findings by the Public Works Department indicate that a likely cause of the landslide was a broken underground pipe.

Noting that the department had found evidence of a broken pipe at the scene, he said that this could have contributed to water pooling, leading to the eventual landslide. – The Vibes, April 26, 2023