Thesun 2008-12-15 Page04 Danger On Commonwealth Hill

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theSun

| MONDAY DECEMBER 15 2008

news without borders Residents not yet able to remove belongings KUALA LUMPUR: The residents of five housing estates around Taman Bukit Mewah and Taman Bukit Utama in Bukit Antarabangsa, which was affected by a landslide on Dec 6, will not be able to remove their belongings yet for safety reasons. Ampang Jaya police chief ACP Abd Jalil Hasan said yesterday inclement weather during the last few days and soil instability did not permit them to do so. “However, they can take out important documents after registering at the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council’s counter at the site. They will be given a pass to enable them to go to their homes for the purpose,” he told a press conference. As for their other belongings, he said, they would have to wait until Friday, the date the authorities will declare whether their housing estates are safe from landslides. Gombak district officer Huzaily Samsi, who was present, said the perimeter of the 14 bungalows flattened in the landslide would be fenced up soon to prevent any trespassing. Yesterday, Bukit Antarabangsa Action Committee chairman Datuk N. Muneandy said the residents supported a statement by Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed that human factor probably caused the landslide, that killed four residents. He said the residents thanked Mohd Zin for his “rationale statement instead of just blaming mother nature”. “We also want to thank him for his initiative to come and see the mishap site,” Muneandy said after a meeting with the residents. A newspaper had reported Mohd Zin as saying he believed human factor probably caused the landslide. The statement was in contrast to that by Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, who cited mother nature and continuous rain as likely reasons for the landslide. Muneandy said reports and complaints from the residents would be compiled and submitted to Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department T. Murugiah today. Meanwhile, the armed forces and Public Works Department (PWD) have completed the construction of a 250m permanent bridge over a drain to link Jalan Bukit Antarabangsa and Jalan Bukit Mewah. – Bernama

People gather at the playground near the hill despite a warning signboard. Cracks (right) have been widening along the jogging path.

Danger on Commonwealth Hill CRACKS ON HILLSLOPE WIDENING BUT NO REMEDIAL WORK DONE by Thomas Yap [email protected]

KUALA LUMPUR: Is a landslide on Commonwealth Hill (Bukit Komanwel) in Bukit Jalil imminent? To the chagrin of Taman Bukit Komanwel residents, Merdeka Stadium Corporation has put up “beware of landslides” signboards to warn joggers but no remedial work is in sight. “Putting up signboards to warn us and telling us to avoid or use the jogging path and its facilities at our own risk is not enough or acceptable. They must repair or stabilise the hillslopes immediately before a disaster strikes,” said B.H. Tan, a civil engineer and a regular jogger on the hill.

Tan said cracks started to appear on the hillslopes about four years ago but “the damage widened with the recent constant heavy downpours”. “What I am worried about are the children and youths on the playground below the hill.” The park, located beside the steep hillslopes, is usually crowded with residents and children during weekends. Tan said he lodged several complaints with the local authorities early this year but no action was taken until recently when the warning signboards appeared. The signboards warn joggers and visitors that the corporation would not be held responsible in the event of an accident. “The cracks have been

widening gradually over the years and the retaining walls now don’t look secure,” Tan said. Pondisamy Sivasamy, a security guard at the park for two years, said the local authorities sent two investigators to inspect the route on Tuesday and used tape to cordon off the entrance of the staggered hill route. Regular joggers have ignored the warning and cordon and continue to use the route. International Medical University student Siow Vei Shaun, 20, whose campus is opposite the playground, said he hardly noticed the cracks but is aware of the dangers. “It is better to be safe than sorry,” he said.

Another regular visitor to the park said the cracks were only minor but “I am still concerned for my safety”. Merdeka Stadium Corporation general manager Wan Noor Azlina said soil tests had been carried out and “the paths on the hillslopes are not in a critical state”. She said the company was aware of the cracks and repair works would be conducted “as soon as possible in the next two months as the tender process for the repairs has been approved”. However, she advised the public to heed the warning signboards and use alternative routes for their daily jogs as a precaution and for their safety “as there is still ample space in the park”.