Massive landslide at Bukit Antarabangsa at 4 a.m. this morning

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Tanah runtuh di Bukit Antarabangsa pukul 4 pagi ini

Extra: Malay Mail here has a report on yesterday’s landslide at Jalan Semantan, Damansara. Luckily there was no loss of life.

My worst fear had been confirmed and my condolences go out to the families that have lost dear ones in this latest tragedy. I urge the relevant authorities to do all they can to save lives that can be saved and take further measures to prevent more losses at this site and possibly elsewhere.

Since the beginning of the continuous rainfall for umpteen weeks, for sometime now I have had this feeling that there would be mishaps soon connected with hill slopes. Then came the news this morning of Bukit Antarabangsa. I feel sad and lousy that it happened because, since I have been elected MP, I have been especially vocal about new hillslope developments that are dangerous and

14 thoughts on “Massive landslide at Bukit Antarabangsa at 4 a.m. this morning”

  1. The Malaysian authorities never learn from the past when many lives had been lost in the Highland Tower tragedy. The Ampang Jaya Council must be held responsible for the lost of 4 lives and for injuries suffered by others. This is due to the “tidak apa” attitude.

    I am sure we will be hearing all kinds of statements expressing concerns by the BN leaders. We don’t need concerns now. The country wants actions to be taken now against the Council for approving such housing projects near hill slopes without the necessary precautionary measures taken to prevent landslide. This is a clear case of negligence because landslide had already been known as the cause for the Highland Tower collapse. Therefore, the Council is duty bound to take preventive actions for other housing estates near hill slopes at Bukit Antarabangsa.

  2. When will our authority ever learn!

    With the kind of continuous rainfall we have in certain months, all hillslope developments should be outlawed. Those people who have approved previous developments should be taken to task and prosecuted if found guilty.

    When we have continuous rainfall, the hillslopes will be completely soaked and all it takes is for a weak crack in the soil somewhere to give way to gravity and you’ll have tons of earth sliding down and smothering you!

    I always discourage people from living near hillslopes or buy houses (condos are worse because of their mass and weight) that are built on hillslopes. There’s always a tragedy that is waiting to happen. It may not happen in 3 years’ or 30 years’ time but it will happen one day when one least expects it. Especially when there’s continuous rain for weeks.

    Moreover, one also does not know what may happen further “upslope” in the years to come. Especially when our approving councils are so reckless. What’s more, someone may decide to clear some vegetation for whatever and voila – tragedy strikes!

    Seriously, the government SHOULD PUT A STOP to all hillslope development and conduct thorough studies on existing ones to avoid a similar tragedy like Bukit Antarabangsa!

    Be warned folks! Don’t play, play with hillslopes wherever you may be!

  3. serious checks and inspection has to be done prior to approval of such projects.. this area will turn into a not so elite place after all.. my condolence to the victim’s families and friends

  4. To the high court judge who ruled that MPAJ is not responsible in anyway for the Highland Tower tragedy, I hope you think you are still right about your decision.

  6. MP, please get City Hall to check the slopes near the Carrefour area. There are many tall buildings there and especially on the hillsides, facing the Petronas Towers and the city.

  7. About 10 years back I saw an advert proudly proclaiming ‘gazetted forest, now DE-gazetted for you’ for an area of development near the Bkt Antarabangsa area. My question is, can gazetted forests be de-gazetted that easily, especially for development purposes (housing).

  8. Sampai bila? Hari ini tragedi berlaku, pemimpin melaungkan ‘Enough is enough’, No more development at hillside. Setahun selepas ini, buat juga. When will we ever learn the lesson?

  9. Melayu Jati, lanwn, lee wee tak, resident.wangsa maju and sherinna

    Thank you for all of your comments. It all boils down to the “tidak apa” attitude of the government and the civil servant. When there is a tragedy like this we hear the PM making announcement that no hill slope housing project. Two months you will see approvals will be given to the developers to build hill slope projects.

    The government and the civil servant will never learn until their own familyu members are victims.

    Sherrina:

    I take note of your comments. I will check it out on Tuesday.

    Incidentally I am told that certain part of Desa View Condo is also experiencing some soil erosion. I shall get assistance from DBKL to ensure that Desa View is safe.

    It is sad that unnecessary lives have to be sacrificed because of the negligence of the authorities.

    Thank you and good night.

    Wee choo keong

    Thank

  11. I am a resident of bkt antarabangsa and was awaken by the siren at around 4.15-4.30am. Initially, I thought it i was normal, but then when it became too frequent and at least 2 helicops at around 5am, I though theer must be a fire. As scores of bomba, ambulances, police cars started to drove by the quiet road in front of my apt, then I sense something was really wrong at 5.30am. Disturb, I wake up and ride my motorbike at 6.30am and the place was already crowded and roads were blocked. I took my bike and when to the hill top where it all started and saw only a few people and a policeman manning the area. Saw some big trees fallen and half of the road gone. Saw residents still in their sleeping clothes rushing out and carries their bags into their car.

    Why are these happening? Simple, all the hills at Antarabangsa are not solidly formed. Rather, the hills are formed by loose earth which you can see from the landslide; there are not amny solid rocks at all. Some of the earths from the landslide are now dumped at a vacant area next to my block. And it is all mud, loose soil as an ex-tin mine area. My question is why the authority especially during the Muhammad Taib and also Khir Toyo allowing such developments when again and again the EIA has shown Antarabangsa is not save for development at hilltop/slope? Why again, MPAJ is still allowing another 3 big projects going-on: 2 at Antarabangsa and 1 at Ukay Perdana after the Highlands? Don’t they have feeling? before this landslide, there was another landslide at main road to Antarabangsa which is near to the same spot where the last major happened few years ago. Yet, there is another bungalow development near the place. Are we going to learn only after some people died?

  12. Mr Wee

    Re above: I am not sure of the condos’ names but one of them is Desa Putra, near a planned LRT station, and another coming up behind Carrefour (you cant miss it a mile, as the tall structure is bring built). A walk there might acquaint you with all there are and precariously perched.

  13. Ronson, williamcheong & Alice Lee

    Thank you all for your comments.
    The approving authorities are the main culprits responsible for all tragedies from the Highland Tower to the recent landslide.

    Alice Lee: Now that I got the name of the condo I shall write to DBKL for immediately for actions.

    Thank you all once again. Please help me with your views and information so that together we can make Wangsa Maju a better place to live.

    Regards
    wee choo keong

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