Residents In KL Urge DBKL To Expedite Restoration Works Before Another Disaster Hits

Another landslide has occurred on Linkungan Negri Sembilan (LNS) in Federal Hill and it is affecting another neighbourhood on Jalan Limau Manis this time, reported Malay Mail.

According to Selamatkan Kuala Lumpur (SKL) chairman Datuk M. Ali, the landslide occurred after the recent heavy rains, affecting one of the houses on Lorong Limau Manis Dua, Bangsar Park. 

“Even before the landslide had taken place, residents in this area had been living in fear of such an incident which could occur due to low maintenance of the drain and retention wall above at LNS.”

“The said resident’s house may not be damaged, but there was damage to the structure of the house compound as the house is located right next to the landslide site,” Ali said.

Meanwhile, only one resident’s home was affected this time, but Ali said the landslide could have been prevented if the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had performed the required checks and maintenance works to the infrastructure of Federal Hill or currently known as Bukit Persekutuan. 

He also said that they were called for a meeting to be briefed on the way forward by IKRAM (Institute of Public Works Malaysia) and DBKL on 9 November.

“At this meeting itself, we had highlighted and shared pictures on the deteriorating condition of several other stretches of LNS where cavities were developing.”

“We were then informed that IKRAM had been commissioned to check the entire area for remedial action to be taken urgently,” said Ali. 

He also said it has been close to 2 months since the first landslide on 23 October, but there was no significant remedial action undertaken between then and the second landslide on 19 December.

“We do understand that there are procedures and processes to go through, but if it involves life and property; and where urgent or immediate action is required, we are certain DBKL and all other authorities have access to fast track the approval processes (for prevention efforts).”

“But for DBKL to sit on such emergency requirements for well over 2 months is definitely questionable,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Ali and several others from SKL said the authorities should not wait for another disaster to happen before they move in to rectify the shortcomings.

“It is important for DBKL to immediately mount an effective and thorough site inspection or survey and take appropriate urgent action.”

“Datuk Bandar, please turun pandang and let’s visit the affected sites as well as look at the surrounding areas in totality,” Ali said. 

On October 23, a landslide hit LNS, Bukit Persekutuan after a heavy downpour causes soil to wash down on several houses on Jalan Limau Purut. 

The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) then advised the affected residents at Jalan Limau Purut to evacuate their homes temporarily given safety concerns. As of now, the residents have yet to receive a firm confirmation on when they can return to their respective homes.