This website is
 

 Welcome    Main    Forum    FAQ    Useful Links    Sample Letters   Tribunal  

Highland Towers Collapse
PAGES 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001to 2003 | 2004 to 2007

1994 
 Jan to Mar |  Apr to Jun | Jul to Sep | Oct to Dec

1. Pemaju minta nama perunding BH 01/01/1994
   KUALA LUMPUR, Jumaat - Persatuan Pemaju Perumahan Selangor/Wilayah (PPPSW) mahu Jawatankuasa Khas Kabinet mengenai tragedi pangsapuri Highland Towers dan kementerian terbabit mengeluarkan senarai jururunding bertauliah dan berpengalaman. Pengerusinya, N Anthonysamy, berkata banyak syarikat perunding jurutera bangunan yang berdaftar tetapi tidak dipastikan sama ada benar-benar berpengalaman atau sebaliknya.

2. Touched by plight of victims MM 01/01/1994
   THE Highland Towers tragedy triggered plenty of shock and pain but for businessman Abdul Ghani Abdullah, it moved him to make a generous donation for the victims. Yesterday, Ghani donated RM20,000 to the Highland Towers Relief Fund.

3. Towards a woe-free Selangor from 1994 NST 01/01/1994
   SHAH ALAM, Fri. - The year 1994 will see Selangor Government moving towards attaining its objectives of making the State free from poverty, squatter houses and illegal factories. It will also ensure that all developers comply with the rules and regulations stipulated in their business licences especially construction specifications to prevent another tragedy as that of Highland Towers in Ulu Klang.

4. Strategies to prevent another condominium tragedy NST 01/01/1994 By Dr C.C. Chan
   I READ with regret and sadness the sudden collapse of the Highland Towers luxury apartment block, causing the loss of people who had the potential to contribute meaningfully to society had they lived. This is not the time for recrimination, for witchhunting, for looking for scapegoats. Rather, we have to look at the whole scenario of our nation's construction industry to learn from our past mistakes.

5. Mixed feelings over tragedy and triumph NST-CITYX 01/01/1994  By R.V. Veera
   SELANGOR bids goodbye to 1993 with mixed feelings - with its worst memory being the Highland Towers collapse. It taught a good lesson and has created awareness on proper safety measures, to the extent of immediate action being taken to stop work on buildings on hill slopes and other filled-up areas.

6. Watch on Block B by experts halted NSUNT 02/01/1994 By Sager Ahmad
   KUALA LUMPUR, Sat. - The Department of Environment and the Survey and National Mapping Department yesterday stopped monitoring Block B of the Highland Towers where a 12-storey apartment block collapsed on Dec 11 killing at least 48 people. This comes a day after army experts removed explosives wired to Block B which had earlier been reported to be tilting and in danger of collapsing due to soil movement.

7. Ting: Safety of building structures a non-issue BT 03/01/1994  By Shirene Shan
   LESS than two months after scores of people died when a hillside apartment block collapsed, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Ting Chew Peh feels the safety of similar structures is a non-issue. "The Sabah election is more important now. That's what we discussed at the Cabinet," he told reporters after the weekly Cabinet meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

8. Residents fear for their safety MM 03/01/1994
   HAIRLINE cracks have appeared on the walls of at least two blocks of apartments at Taman Bukit Cheras, allegedly after several blasting sessions carried out by a neighbouring development project in October. Market researcher Lai Chooi Ming, who lives on the eighth floor of Block One, said she noticed the cracks on her kitchen and bedroom walls last month.

9. Thank you, Pan Pacific MM 03/01/1994
   THE Highland Towers tragedy took a symbolic meaning for those affected when they showed gratitude to a hotel that sheltered and fed them in their hour of need. Twenty-eight families from the collapsed Block A hosted a special lunch for Pan Pacific Hotel staff and presented them with a special gift yesterday.

10. Gesture of appreciation to Pan Pacific Hotel NST 03/01/1994
    WE THANK YOU ... Residents of Highland Towers condominium who were given temporary refuge by the Pan Pacific Hotel after Block One collapsed on Dec 11 showed their appreciation to the hotel management and staff by hosting a lunch. Affendi Yahya (right), an architect, also presented a specially designed sculpture depicting two glass pyramids and a rock on behalf of the 28 families who stayed in the hotel to the hotel resident manager Anthony Ross.

11. Train our interviewers to ask proper questions NST 03/01/1994  By Dr Samuel Padman
    THE nation has been saddened by the recent Highland Towers condominium tragedy. Since we never experienced a similar tragedy before, it was necessary to utilise foreign expertise for the rescue operations.

12. Mahkamah tentukan pemilik barang pangsapuri BH 04/01/1994
    SEPANG, Isnin - Polis akan mengemukakan kepada mahkamah bagi menentukan pemilik sebenar barang-barang yang dijumpai di tapak Blok A kondominium Highland Towers, Hulu Klang, yang runtuh pada 11 Disember lalu. Pengarah Cawangan Khas, Pemangku Pesuruhjaya Datuk Norian Mai, yang juga Ketua Polis Selangor, berkata tindakan itu akan diambil jika ada perbalahan dalam menentukan pemilik barang-barang itu.

13. Dispute may be referred to court NST 04/01/1994
    SEPANG, Mon. - The police will seek a court ruling in the event of disputes over the ownership of goods recovered from the rubble of Block One of the Highland Towers condominium in Hulu Klang. Special Branch director Acting Commissioner Datuk Norian Mai said the police would investigate claims over the goods before returning them.

14. Pakar forensik masih kesan cebisan HM 05/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR: Usaha mengecam cebisan kulit serta daging manusia yang dijumpai dalam runtuhan pangsapuri Highland Towers di Hulu Klang bulan lalu akan mengambil masa lama. Menurut Timbalan Pengarah Perubatan Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), Dr Omar Said Ahmad, ini disebabkan proses mengecam itu masih dijalankan oleh pakar forensik HKL.

15. `Independent consultants liable' MM 05/01/1994 By Freddie Ng
    INDEPENDENT consultants certifying hillside condominiums and buildings safety will become liable if structures they certified safe are later found otherwise. A lawyer, who declined to be identified, said this was because in the law, a consultant would owe a duty of care to those relying on their expertise and professional certification.

16. MPAJ akan siasat kes Blok B Highland Towers BH 06/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Rabu - Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) akan memulakan siasatan ke atas Blok B pangsapuri Highland Towers di Hulu Klang, yang dianggap kurang selamat, 5 Februari ini. Yang Dipertuanya, Abdul Karim Munisar, berkata semua pemilik berdaftar dan pemegang hak unit pangsapuri di blok itu diminta mengemukakan dokumen berkaitan kepada MPAJ.

17. Tiada kelonggaran BH 06/01/1994  By Rosli Safar; Ziauddin Sharuddin
    SEREMBAN, Rabu - Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sedia menemui pemaju perumahan yang projek pangsapuri mereka dihentikan berikutan tragedi Highland Towers. Bagaimanapun, beliau yang juga Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Khas Kabinet bagi menangani tragedi itu menegaskan, kerajaan tidak akan mempertimbang sebarang kelonggaran terhadap ketetapan yang dibuat sebelum ini.

18. Prevention is better than cure BT 06/01/1994
    THERE is no denying that prevention is better than cure, in fact, lots better. Only in the case of the collapse of a block of the Highland Towers condominiums in Hulu Klang, there is no cure. Nothing will bring back the more then 70 who died needlessly. Maybe, if prevention had been taken at the earlier stages. Well, that is hindsight which is no substitute for insight which is infinitely better. It is thus a matter of much comfort that in the wake of the disaster, the authorities have been roused from their slumberous state and are now fully awake to the inherent dangers of slipshod approval and supervision of housing and other projects which have a bearing on the environment and the quality of life of Malaysians.

19. Ting: Decision on high-rise projects to take a week BT 06/01/1994  By Jimmy Yeow; Cheong Heng Weng
    LOCAL authorities are to decide within a week upon receiving the report from independent consultant engineers whether a particular high-rise project on a hilly area can proceed or not, said Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Ting Chew Peh. He said the local authorities' decision will be guided by the findings of the independent consultant engineers.

20. More time to submit views MM 06/01/1994 By V. Vasudevan
    THE Ampang Jaya Municipal Council inquiry committee set up to look into the condition of Block B and Block C of the ill-fated Highland Towers condominium will meet on Feb 5 instead of Jan 24. Council assistant public relations officer Norhayati Ahmad said the change in date was to provide more time for the principal parties involved to submit their views to the six-member inquiry committee.

21. Panel to study report on safety of hill slope condos NST 06/01/1994
    SEREMBAN, Wed. - Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Special Cabinet Committee on the Highland Towers disaster will meet soon to study preliminary reports submitted by developers on the safety of their condominium projects on hill slopes (See also Page 4). Alternatively, Anwar said the reports might be referred to the Cabinet.

22. Semua mayat sudah dituntut BH 08/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Jumaat - Polis mengesahkan semua mayat mangsa tragedi runtuhan pangsapuri Highland Towers, Hulu Klang dituntut oleh keluarga masing-masing. Timbalan Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Mohd Noor, berkata setakat ini hanya satu mayat, iaitu seorang lelaki rakyat British yang beragama Islam masih ditempatkan di bilik mayat Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL).

23. Hikmah di sebalik malapetaka BH-DUN 08/01/1994  By Roslan Hamid
    TRAGEDI pangsapuri Highland Towers dapat dijadikan iktibar bahawa masyarakat dunia boleh bekerjasama. Selain penyelamat tempatan, turut berkejar ke tempat kejadian ialah pasukan bantuan dari Perancis, Jepun dan Singapura. Malapetaka menginsafkan manusia bahawa mereka serupa. Ia mengingatkan hakikat bahawa mereka adalah makhluk lemah. Tiada seorang insan, malahan sebuah negara pun, yang mampu mengelakkan bencana.

24. Masih siasat HM 08/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR: Polis masih meneruskan siasatan tragedi pangsapuri Highland Towers, Taman Hillview, Hulu Klang yang runtuh pada 11 Disember lalu dengan menyoal beberapa saksi.

25. Good reponse to probe NST 08/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - Police have received good response from witnesses and residents in their investigations into the collapse of the Block A apartment building of the Highland Towers in Hulu Klang on Dec 11. Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Noor said police were still investigating the incident under "criminal negligence".

26. MPAJ may allow Press at inquiry SUM 09/01/1994  By V. Vasudevan
    THE Press may be allowed to cover an inquiry by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) to determine the future of Blocks B and C of Highland Towers in Hulu Klang, Selangor. This is a relaxation of its earlier stand to bar reporters from covering the inquiry which will begin on February 5.

27. Two brave rescuers honoured NSUNT 09/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Sat. - Sadness and a sense of frustration marred the recognition that two volunteers, who risked their lives and sacrificed their free time to search for survivors of the Highland Towers tragedy, received today. S.K. Sivananda, 45, Malaysian Red Cross Society Selangor branch chairman of disaster and MRCS Gombak District secretary D Sivalingam, 39, wished that they could have done more and saved more lives.

28. We are not rich, say apartment residents NSUNT 09/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Sat. - Residents of the Highland Towers apartment block today appealed to the public for assistance and said it is a misconception that they are well off and do not need any help. A resident, Mr Quah Seng Chit, 35, said: "Many people think that we are rich ... but actually, we are just ordinary working class people who lost everything, including our family members, in the tragedy."

29. Honour for brave rescuers NSUNT 09/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Sat. - Sadness and a sense of frustration marred the recognition that two volunteers, who risked their lives and sacrificed their free time to search for survivors of the Highland Towers tragedy, received today. S.K. Sivananda, 45, Malaysian Red Cross Society Selangor branch chairman of disaster and MRCS Gombak District secretary D Sivalingam, 39, wished that they could have done more and saved more lives.

30. Several issues on panel's agenda NST 10/01/1994 By Alex Choong
    KUALA LUMPUR, Sun. - The Cabinet Committee investigating the collapse of Block A of Highland Towers is expected to resolve several issues, including independent consultant verification of building safety on hilly areas, when it meets this week. Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Ting Chew Peh said today that it was important to ensure that buildings sited on hilly areas were safe and that work could resume as soon as possible.

31. Polis masih tunggu arahan BH 11/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Isnin - Polis masih menunggu arahan kerajaan untuk menentukan tindakan perlu ke atas Blok B dan C pangsapuri Highland Towers di Taman Hillview, Hulu Klang. Ketua Polis Daerah Hulu Langat (Ampang/Kajang), Penolong Pesuruhjaya Yaacob Ismail, berkata sejak Blok A pangsapuri itu tumbang 11 Disember lalu, penghuni kedua-dua blok itu diarah mengosongkan rumah mereka.

32. JKR periksa bangunan BH 11/01/1994
    SHAH ALAM, Isnin - Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) negeri Selangor sedang meningkatkan pemeriksaan terhadap semua bangunan tinggi kerajaan yang melebihi lima tingkat, terutama di kawasan berbukit. Pengarah JKR Selangor, Datuk Abu Bakar Mohd Amin, berkata antara bangunan terbabit ialah kompleks pejabat kerajaan, kuarters polis serta kastam bagi memastikan semuanya kukuh dan tidak menghadapi masalah tanah runtuh atau hakisan.

33. Dept to submit maps soon BT 11/01/1994 By Shirene Shan
    IN THE wake of the Highland Towers tragedy, the Department of Survey and Mapping will submit in two weeks topographical maps to the Public Works Institute of Malaysia (Ikram). These maps and other data on slope analysis will form part of Ikram's study into the Highland Towers incident, Department of Survey and Mapping director-general Majid Mohamed told reporters at the tide and tidal phenomena seminar in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

34. Condo mart hit further by Highland Towers tragedy BT 11/01/1994 By Lokman Mansor
    THE condominium market, which had been heading for lower prices and rents due to a surplus even before the Highland Towers tragedy, will be further affected now, a property consultant said. C.H. Williams Talhar & Wong international managing director John Loh said the tragedy - the 12-storey Block One of Highland Towers in Hulu Klang toppled over on December 11 killing at least 72 people - "will definitely have an effect on the market".

35. Siasatan Blok B dan C masih buntu HM 11/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR: Siasatan terhadap keselamatan Blok B dan C pangsapuri Highland Towers, Hulu Klang masih buntu kerana beberapa agensi masih gagal menemui sebarang formula tepat bagi menentukan ia selamat diduduki atau tidak. Kestabilan dan kekukuhan bangunan setinggi 12 tingkat itu masih menjadi tanda tanya berikutan pergerakan tanah yang mungkin terjadi apabila Blok A pangsapuri yang sama runtuh 11 Disember lalu.

36. Penghormatan terakhir HM 11/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR: Warga kota yang ingin memberi penghormatan kepada mangsa tragedi runtuhan Blok A pangsapuri Highland Towers di Hulu Klang, dijemput ke tapak runtuhan bangunan itu tengah hari ini. Ketua Polis Daerah Hulu Langat, Penolong Pesuruhjaya Yaacob Ismail, berkata upacara itu dianjurkan oleh jawatankuasa penduduk pangsapuri terbabit sebagai mengingati sebulan berlakunya tragedi itu.

37. Report on condo collapse for Ikram NST 11/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - The Survey and Mapping Department will soon submit a report on the status of the Highland Towers condominium blocks in Hulu Klang to the Institut Kerja Raya Malaysia (Ikram). Department director-general Abdul Majid Mohamed said today that the report in the form of data, slope analyses, aerial pictures and topography map of the three blocks of condominiums before and after one of them collapsed would be ready in a week or two.

38. Report to help condominium collapse probe NST 11/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - The Survey and Mapping Department will soon submit a report on the status of the Highland Towers condominium blocks in Hulu Klang to the Institut Kerja Raya Malaysia (Ikram).

39. Suasana sedih di tapak tragedi Highland Towers  BH 12/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Selasa - Suasana sedih menyelubungi tapak pangsapuri Highland Towers di Hulu Kelang apabila semua anggota keluarga mangsa yang terbunuh dan penghuni Blok B dan C berkumpul dalam satu upacara memperingati tragedi itu, yang genap sebulan hari ini. Dalam kejadian 11 Disember lalu, sekurang-kurangnya 48 terbunuh apabila Blok A pangsapuri 12 tingkat itu tumbang.

40. Penghuni tubuh badan penyiasat bebas BH 12/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Selasa - Jawatankuasa Bertindak Penghuni Highland Towers menubuhkan sebuah jawatankuasa bebas bagi menyiasat tragedi yang mengorbankan sekurang-kurangnya 48 penghuni Blok A pangsapuri itu. Jawatankuasa kecil itu, yang dikenali sebagai Jawatankuasa Struktur dan Keselamatan Bangunan, diketuai oleh seorang jurutera perancang yang juga penghuni pangsapuri itu, Iain Gray.

41. 200 penduduk bertafakur ... HM 12/01/1994 By Zabidi Adil Salleh Aminuddin Ibrahim; Azami Desa (
    KUALA LUMPUR: Suasana sedih menyelubungi upacara memperingati genap 30 hari Blok A pangsapuri Highland Towers di Hulu Klang runtuh dalam tragedi yang mengorbankan sekurang-kurangnya 48 nyawa penghuninya, pada 11 Disember lalu. Kira-kira 200 penduduk blok terbabit dan dua blok berhampiran serta sahabat-handai menghadiri upacara bertafakur berhampiran tapak runtuhan itu tepat jam 1.30 petang semalam.

42. Harap hasil siasatan tak bercanggah HM 12/01/1994 By Zabidi Adil Salleh Aminuddin Ibrahim; Azami Desa
    JAWATANKUASA penduduk Highland Towers di Hulu Klang yang menyiasat sendiri tragedi keruntuhan pangsapuri blok A itu, berharap hasilnya tidak bercanggah dengan siasatan pihak berkuasa. "Tujuan kami menjalankan siasatan sendiri bukan untuk membandingkan hasilnya dengan siasatan oleh badan penyiasat kerajaan, sebaliknya hanya mencari kebenaran," kata Ian Gray yang mengetuai siasatan itu.

43. Grief shared MM 12/01/1994  By Jasni Rahim
    THE grief felt by those who lost their loved ones in the Dec 11 Highland Towers condominium collapse was shared by others around the country through cards and letters. Their words of comfort and condolence were put up yesterday in conjunction with a gathering to mark the 30th day of the tragedy in which some 70 people in Block A perished.

44. Residents' panel probes collapse NST 12/01/1994  By Esther Tan; Vijesh Rai
    KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. - The pro tem structural and safety sub-committee formed by residents of Highland Towers is conducting its own investigations to determine what caused the collapse of Block A. Sub-committee head Iain Gray said the main function of the sub-committee was to give an independent view of the probable cause of the collapse.

45. Association: Give CFs after verification by consultant NST 12/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. - The Master Builders Association of Malaysia (MBAM) has proposed that the certificate of fitness (CF) for new buildings be given only when their safety and stability have been verified by independent consultants. President Siah Kwee Mou said the proposal was aimed at preventing hitches after the issuance of the CF.

46. The memory and pain linger on ... NST 12/01/1994
    THEY came with heavy hearts. Some were trying hard to control their emotions. Most were in tears. Even Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali, wife of the Prime Minister, who had come to provide moral support, could not fight back the tears.

47. A memorial for her friends NST 12/01/1994
    WITH no flowers of her own, little Jasmin Jade Gray had to use her creativity to make a memorial for her deceased friends. She was spotted quietly collecting stones to make a unique stone memorial at the site of the Highland Towers tragedy yesterday.

48. Any little thing to remember those lost NST 12/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. - They were pictures of the happy times, of children with their shrieks of laughter and mischief, playing along the corridors and in the apartments of Block A of Highland Towers. The laughter and mischief are no more there but amidst what was once the rubble of the 12-storey apartment block where 73 people perished when the building collapsed on Dec 11 lie the photographs.

49. High-rise buildings: Swift decisions sought NST 13/01/1994  By Rashid Yusof; Azrin Azmi
    KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. - Local authorities have been directed to make immediate decisions on reports of independent consultants on safety and stability of high-rise buildings in hilly areas. This is to ensure there is no undue disruption in the construction of the projects as there are only 10 more days to go before the expiry of the one-month grace for developers to submit the reports.

50. Mendisplinkan pemaju perumahan BH 14/01/1994
    KEPUTUSAN Kementerian Sumber Manusia mendakwa dua pemaju kolej dan hotel kerana melanggar peraturan Akta Kilang dan Jentera Berat 1967, harus dianggap sebagai permulaan kepada tindakan lebih tegas ke atas pemaju yang mengingkari pelbagai peraturan untuk menjaga kepentingan pekerja, pembeli dan rakyat keseluruhannya. Walaupun ketegasan kerajaan itu agak terlewat dan dipercayai berikutan pelbagai nahas bangunan, sama ada bangunan dalam pembinaan atau sudah lama didiami sejak akhir-akhir ini, sekurang- kurangnya kebimbangan kita terhadap bahaya daripada ketidakprihatinan pemaju sedemikian sejak lama dahulu, kini turut dirasai kerajaan dengan disusuli tindakan. Pemaju kolej berkenaan menghadapi enam dakwaan, antaranya kerana kegagalan melaporkan kematian dan kecederaan pekerjanya, menggunakan kren tanpa kelulusan serta kegagalan menubuhkan jawatankuasa keselamatan di tapak projek. Pemaju hotel pula didakwa kerana gagal melaporkan kematian 11 pekerjanya ketika bangunan itu dalam pembinaan. Menurut Menteri Sumber Manusia, Datuk Lim Ah Lek, pihaknya cuma mendapat tahu kejadian itu selepas menerima maklumat daripada orang ramai.

51. Disasters, past and potential NST 14/01/1994
    DEVELOPERS of projects involving high-rise buildings in hilly areas, who have been left in a quandary by the order to suspend work following the collapse of the Highland Towers apartment block, can now breathe easier for relief is on the way. The Ministry of Housing and Local Government has directed local authorities to make immediate steps on reports by independent consultants concerning the safety and stability of such projects. The authorities can be expected to act promptly on clear-cut cases, others may take a little longer, while problem cases can be referred to the Ministry. Provided the developers have adhered to the accepted standards of the industry they can resume their work before too long.

52. Random checks on high-rise projects NST 14/01/1994 By Rashid Yusof
    KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - In another significant move by the Government, Public Works Department engineers will be asked to carry out random checks on construction sites of high-rise buildings in hilly areas to ensure building specifications and safety requirements are met. The engineers would, among others, scrutinise building materials and the condition of the sites.

53. Penghuni harap dapat ambil harta BH 17/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Ahad - Penghuni Blok B pangsapuri Highland Towers di Taman Hillview, Hulu Klang berharap dapat mengambil harta benda mereka jika mendapat kebenaran pihak kerajaan. Mereka menyampaikan hasrat itu ketika mengadakan pertemuan bersama Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) kawasan Hulu Klang, Fuad Hassan, di blok C pangsapuri itu, pagi ini.

54. Penghuni B, C bimbang By Noor Sham Saleh HM 17/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR: Tragedi runtuhan Blok A pangsapuri Highland Towers di Hulu Klang, 11 Disember lalu menyebabkan penghuni Blok B dan C berhampiran tidak lagi berminat untuk terus tinggal di situ. Perasaan bimbang dan takut dengan kejadian itu terus menghantui mereka daripada terus tinggal di situ, walaupun hasil kajian kestabilan bangunan yang sedang dijalankan mungkin menunjukkan kedua-dua blok itu masih kukuh dan selamat diduduki.

55. Polis sahkan 48 mangsa nahas kondo BH 21/01/1994 By P Asalmbigai
    KUALA LUMPUR, Khamis - Polis hari ini mengesahkan angka kematian dalam tragedi kondominium runtuh di Taman Hillview Hulu Klang dekat sini Disember lepas ialah 48. Timbalan Pengarah Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah, Datuk Ahmad Ragib Mohamad Salleh berkata jumlah itu menepati dengan senarai nama orang hilang yang diberikan oleh saudara-mara dan rakan mangsa selepas kondominium Highland Towers setinggi 12 tingkat itu runtuh pada kirakira 1.35 tengah hari 11 Disember lalu.

56. Waris mangsa runtuhan boleh tuntut barang BH 21/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Khamis - Waris dan penghuni Blok A, Pangsapuri Highland Towers yang belum mengemukakan laporan tuntutan kehilangan barangan mereka dalam runtuhan bangunan itu kepada polis, diminta segera berbuat demikian. Ketua Polis Hulu Langat, Penolong Pesuruhjaya Yaacob Ismail, berkata tindakan itu perlu bagi membolehkan polis mengenal pasti barangan yang dijumpai sepanjang operasi menyelamat, dikembalikan kepada pemilik atau waris mereka.

57. Lelong barang tidak dituntut HM 21/01/1994
    BARANG milik penghuni Blok A pangsapuri Highland Towers di Hulu Klang yang tumbang, 11 Disember lalu akan dilelong jika tidak dituntut dalam tempoh tertentu. Ketua Polis Daerah Hulu Langat, Penolong Pesuruhjaya Yaacob Ismail, berkata lelongan itu akan dijalankan mengikut Akta Polis dan hasilnya diserahkan kepada kerajaan.

58. Highland Tower: Only 48 died NST 21/01/1994 By K. Vijiyan
    KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - Police today said all victims of the Highland Towers tragedy on Dec 11 had been accounted for and the death toll still stood at 48. Deputy Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Ahmad Ragib Salleh said some Press reports had stated that 79 people were believed killed.

59. Stop projects going downhill NST 24/01/1994
    PERHAPS the crassest witticism out of the post-trauma depression of the Highland Towers collapse has been one affecting construction standards on hillslopes: The lack of square edges left by the amount of corner cutting by the building sector might be enough to cause even a single-storey terrace block to roll over on its shortest side. When a joke derives from a scoffing inability to take authority seriously, it is always bought at the expense of public faith. After the tragedy, public concern awoke with the fleeting suspicion of a highly elastic set of standards at play in hillside developments. Somewhere within the gamut of the construction process - from land alienation and approval to plan specifications to occupation certificates to maintenance and safety programmes - there could be a chink big enough for the joke to turn offensively tasteless.

60. Developers must give more facts if reports rejected NST 25/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - Those developers, whose independent consultants' reports fail to get approval from City Hall, will be asked to submit more details of their projects. City Hall director-general Datuk Noordin Abdul Razak said the local authority's technical committee was scrutinising these reports on 18 of the 20 highrise building projects in hilly areas in the city.

61. To weep or not to weep? NST 27/01/1994 By Noraini Shariff
    WHEN Block A of the Highland Towers condominiums in Kuala Lumpur collapsed on Dec 11, killing 48 people, the whole nation mourned with the families of the victims. Many sent cards and messages of condolence, and others shed tears for the grief that was surely and deeply felt.

62. Keprihatinan rakyat dipuji BH 28/01/1994
    PENGHARGAAN ... sikap bertanggungjawab dan prihatin rakyat Malaysia dalam mengharungi tragedi Pangsapuri Highland Towers di Hulu Klang tumbang Disember lalu memang wajar disanjungi. Bagi mengenang jasa dan pengorbanan pihak terbabit dalam operasi mencari dan menyelamat mangsa tragedi itu, satu majlis penghargaan dan kenangan diadakan di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur, malam tadi.

63. Tepukan untuk bomba HM 28/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR: Ketua Pengarah Bomba, Datuk Badaruddin Mat Isa, menerima tepukan paling bergemuruh daripada kira-kira 1,000 tetamu yang hadir di majlis penghargaan dan kenangan tragedi Highland Towers di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC), malam tadi. Ini mungkin kerana kerja keras lebih 100 anggota bomba dari Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan sepanjang gerakan menyelamat sejak pangsapuri itu runtuh 11 Disember lalu.

64. Dr M: Highland Towers tragedy a lesson NST 28/01/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the Highland Towers tragedy has taught the Government not to be too confident and take things for granted. The Government hopes the lesson learnt would prevent a recurrence of such an incident, he said.

65. Contingency planning MB 01/02/1994 By Michael Yeoh
    THE TRAGIC collapse of Highland Towers has highlighted the crucial importance of disaster recovery planning. How many companies have a disaster recovery plan which sets out the steps to take in the event of a disaster? How many companies plan for contingencies? Often, it is far too late before the management of a company realises that disaster recovery planning makes a crucial difference between the successful recovery and prolonged disability of the business. Most companies have detailed strategic plans which set out the business mission, corporate objectives, strategic direction and business strategies. But few include a disaster recovery plan or a systematic plan for contingencies in their corporate strategic plans. Remember, not every manager is able to cope effectively during times of crisis. The primary purpose of disaster recovery is to ensure business continuity. Hence, it is vitally important that detailed plans for contingencies and disaster recovery are put in place.

66. No projects likely to be declared unsafe BT 02/02/1994 By Jennifer Jacobs
    IT IS unlikely that any of the condominium projects in Kuala Lumpur will be declared unsafe, despite warnings from experts that the Highland Towers disaster will not be an isolated case if proper preventive action is not taken. Datuk Bandar Datuk Dr Mazlan Ahmad told reporters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday that, at most, the developers will be asked to reinforce the walls and improve the drainage systems.

67. Making an issue of a non-issue BT 04/02/1994
    IT IS unfortunate that Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Ting Chew Peh has described the safety of high-rise buildings, especially those built and being built on hill slopes, as a "non-issue". Ting also showed his insensitivity when he said that "the Sabah election is more important now". One fails to see how this can be. The concern over safety should never take second place to any other issue. Indeed, we are not talking about "issues" here but human lives which are at stake. It is worrying to note that Ting is not the only senior government official to have made such irresponsible comments. On Tuesday, Kuala Lumpur Datuk Bandar Dr Mazlan Ahmad said in response to a reporter's query: "Condos again? Why can't you reporters give it a break?" Such comments will only encourage errant and unscrupulous developers to continue ignoring guidelines and think only of making profits at the expense of all other considerations.

68. Meeting to decide fate of Blocks B and C SUM 06/02/1994  By Alina Simon
    THE HIGHLAND Towers Inquiry Committee set up by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) heard testimonies from residents yesterday to help it decide the fate of the remaining Blocks B and C. The residents were evacuated after Block A collapsed on Dec 11, killing at least 70 people.

69. Inquiry panel interviews Highland Towers folk NSUNT 06/02/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Sat. - The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) inquiry into the fate of Blocks 2 and 3 of the Highland Towers started today with three residents being interviewed. The closed-door inquiry, initially attended by 28 residents who registered at the MPAJ operations room, ended after 45 minutes of deliberation.

70. Panel `cannot determine compensation' NST 08/02/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - The inquiry committee established by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council is only responsible for determining the safety of the Highland Towers apartment Blocks 2 and 3, its president, Encik Abdul Karim Munisar, said today. He said the six-member committee would only delve into the technical aspects relating to the two 16-storey apartment blocks during interviews with residents and will not entertain queries on compensation.

71. Highland Towers: Views of residents important NST 09/02/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. - Ampang Jaya Municipal Councils efforts to determine the safety of Highland Towers Apartment Blocks B and C and the cause of the Nov 11 tragedy will be hampered if the 28 residents do not turn up to be interviewed by its inquiry committee. Council president and committee chairman Abdul Karim Munisar said that besides interviewing the residents on the buildings' technical aspects, the six committee members also had to interview architects, structural engineers, building contractors, geologists and also environmentalists to determine the cause of the Nov 11 tragedy.

72. Call for more rigid criteria for hillside development BT 14/02/1994
    THE December 11 Highland Towers tragedy should not just fade away like a bad dream but instead more rigid criteria for hillside development must follow to prevent a reoccurrence. Environmental Protection Society Malaysia (EPSM) president Gurmit Singh said in a statement that the issue of hillside development should be addressed in a more comprehensive manner.

73. Keeping eye on buildings NST 14/02/1994 By Khairun Nazirah
    PANTAI REMIS, Sun. - Periodic checks on all buildings will be compulsory with amendments to three laws by April. Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Ting Chew Peh said today the checks were among the long-term measures to be undertaken by his ministry following the Highland Towers building collapse.

74. Getting residents' views MM 16/02/1994 By V. Vasudevan
    THE Ampang Jaya Municipal Council inquiry into the condition of Block B and Block C of the Highland Towers condominium continued to hear residents' views yesterday. Inquiry Committee chairman and council president Abdul Karim Munisar said the council would continue `with a few more residents' before hearing the views of only relevant parties or those with specific technical expertise.

75. No confidence to live on site of tragedy MM 16/02/1994
    THE majority of residents attending the inquiry into the condition of Block B and Block C of Highland Towers were asked if they wanted to return to the blocks and their perceptions of conditions in and around the building before Block A collapsed. Block B resident Daniel Chian spent about 20 minutes at the inquiry yesterday and was asked if he wished to live in his flat again.

76. Blocks B, C tenants were told of inquiry NST 16/02/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. - Residents and owners of the Highland Towers apartment Blocks B and C were informed of the inquiry committee set up by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ). Council president Encik Abdul Karim Munisar said the council had notified as many residents and owners as they could trace to attend the inquiry meeting.

77. Mangsa dikecuali buat bayaran? HM 17/02/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR: Penghuni Blok A, pangsapuri Highland Towers di Hulu Klang yang runtuh pada Disember tahun lalu mungkin dikecualikan daripada membuat bayaran balik pinjaman pembelian unit masing-masing. Malah, penghuni Blok B dan C juga berpeluang menikmati kemudahan itu sekiranya Jawatankuasa Penyiasatan mendapati kedua-dua blok itu tidak selamat didiami dan perlu diruntuhkan.

78. Confused by naming of blocks MM 17/02/1994  By Alina Simon
    CONFUSION over the correct name for the three Highland Towers blocks reigned during the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council inquiry into the condition of two remaining blocks. This was because of the different numbering system used by residents and the inquiry committee to refer to the blocks.

79. Highland Towers residents want all earthworks halted NST 17/02/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. - Residents of Highland Towers Block B and C want all earthworks in the surrounding areas to stopped and the soil on the hillslope stabilised should the Ampang Jaya Municpal Council's inquiry committee declare the two apartment blocks "safe for occupation". They also want the council to instruct the sole owner of the hill behind the two apartment blocks, to stop any further clearing of land for development purposes.

80. Take useful lessons from Highland Towers tragedy NST 17/02/1994 By M. Chew
    THE Highland Towers tragedy provides some useful lessons to the authorities, developers and houseowners. It is a sheer pity that some innocent lives were lost in order to deliver the message: The general safety of human abode - be it terrace houses, flats or condominiums - and its occupants cannot be taken for granted. Before I bought a house, my friends and relatives used to assure me that one can only feel comfortable and safe if and when one acquires one's own house. Now I'm not too sure of such an equation, especially after the incident. I get very restless when I think of things that are happening in my housing estate and the many unanswered questions that arise.

81. 10 projek di kawasan bukit diteruskan BH 19/02/1994  By Norazmi Abdul Talib
    KLANG, Jumaat - Sepuluh projek bangunan tinggi melebihi lima tingkat di kawasan berbukit di Selangor dibenarkan meneruskan semula kerja pembinaan. Penghentian itu berikutan tragedi Highland Towers tumbang di Hulu Klang.

82. Highland Towers residents assisting in AJMC inquiry BT 19/02/1994
    TWENTY-SEVEN people have come forward to assist in an inquiry conducted by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (AJMC) to ascertain whether Blocks 2 and 3 of the Highland Towers condominiums Ulu Kelang are safe for occupation. Among those who had testified, including five yesterday, were residents of the two blocks and eyewitnesses who watched in horror as Block 1 collapsed on December 11 resulting in the death of 48 people.

83. Hearing resumes Monday MM 19/02/1994
    THE Ampang Jaya Municipal Council inquiry into the condition of Highland Towers Blocks B and C will hear submissions from relevant government departments on Monday. Yesterday, the committee heard testimony from four witnesses. One more had asked to be heard of Monday.

84. Condo shook and keeled MM 19/02/1994  By V. Vasudevan
    A SURVIVOR of the Highland Towers tragedy yesterday recounted the nightmare of being trapped in a collapsed building. At the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council Inquiry, Indonesian Umi Rosyidah Khoruman said: "I told them everything that happened as best as I could recall."

85. Highland Towers tragedy survivors to leave for home NST 19/02/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - The Indonesian maid and her 18-month-old daughter who were the only survivors of the Dec 11 Highland Towers tragedy, are expected to return to their village in East Java next week. Umi Rosyidah Khorimun said she hoped to bring her daughter Nurhamidah Najib back to visit her family and relatives at Kampung Desa Panciran on Feb 23.

86. Siasatan Highland Towers siap Mac BH 22/02/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Isnin - Siasatan mengenai keselamatan blok dua dan tiga pangsapuri Highland Towers di Hulu Klang yang bermula 5 Februari lalu, dijangka selesai Mac depan. Yang Dipertua Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ), Abdul Karim Munisar, berkata sebarang keputusan siasatan hanya boleh dibuat selepas merujuk kepada laporan pakar pelbagai bidang seperti arkitek, jurutera, kontraktor binaan, pakar kaji bumi, juru ukur tanah dan pakar alam sekitar.

87. Council resumes inquiry MM 22/02/1994
    THE Ampang Jaya Municipal Council inquiry into the safety of Highland Towers Blocks B and C resumed yesterday with testimony from a maintenance worker and several government department officers. Committee chairman Abdul Karim Munisar said the council would continue hearing more testimony from relevant government agencies when hearing continues on Friday.

88. Testimony of maintenance worker heard MM 22/02/1994
    THE Ampang Jaya Municipal Council inquiry into the safety of Highland Towers Blocks B and C heard the testimony of the condominium maintenance worker Chong Mun Fong. Chong, accompanied by lawyers, spent 20 minutes with the committee before leaving.

89. Shortage of experts MM 22/02/1994 By Gerald Chuah
    HOUSING and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Ting Chew Peh has acknowledged that shortage of professionals in local authorities is a main reason leading to the lack of competence in the country's construction industry. His acknowledgement was in line with what The Malay Mail established last Dec 28.

90. Amending intention into action NST 22/02/1994
    AMENDING an Act to make site supervisors and developers equally accountable, along with consultants, for the safety of high-rise projects, although a much-desired step, will not result in achieving the much- desired accountability by itself unless the provision is actually used to prosecute offenders. The Street, Drainage and Buildings Act 1974 purports to make project consultants liable in respect of the safety of such buildings but we would like to know if the actual provision has ever been exercised in court in respect of any previous building collapse.

91. Expert views on Highland Towers NST 22/02/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) inquiry into the condition of Blocks B and C of the Highland Towers in Hulu Kelang, near here, will start hearing views from experts on Friday. Inquiry Committee chairman and Council President Abdul Karim Munisar said today the council would be hearing views of only relevant parties or those with specific technical expertise.

92. Baiki kawasan kondo HM 25/02/1994
    MAJLIS Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) sudah mengarahkan pemaju kondominium Highland Towers di Hulu Klang supaya membaiki kerosakan di kawasan persekitaran tempat berlakunya tragedi itu November lalu.

93. Grant to cover Towers probe costs sought MM 25/02/1994
    COUNCIL president Abdul Karim Munisar told the board that the council has applied to the Selangor Government for a RM600,000 grant to underwrite expenses incurred in the Highland Towers Block B and C inquiries. It will also cover expenses incurred to determine the collapse of Block A.

94. Isu bayaran kondo diumum hari ini BH 26/02/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Jumaat - Jawatankuasa Penyiasat Tragedi Highland Towers Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) akan mengumumkan esok hasil perbincangannya dengan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mengenai masalah kewangan mangsa tragedi. Perbincangan dengan Timbalan Perdana Menteri petang ini ialah berhubung masalah pembayaran balik pinjaman bank mangsa terbabit, kata Anggota Majlis Jawatankuasa Penyiasat itu, Fuad Hassan, selepas menghadiri mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Penyiasat MPAJ di sini, hari ini.

95. Safety check MM 26/02/1994 By V. Vasudevan
    REPRESENTATIVES from a finance company and a developer yesterday testified at the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council inquiry into the condition of Block B and Block C of the Highland Towers condominiums. The first to testify were representatives from ArabMalaysia Finance Company while the developer, MBf Property Services, met the inquiry committee about 90 minutes later.

96. Inquiry panel interviews two officials NST 26/02/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - The inquiry committee set up by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) into the Highland Towers tragegy interviewed two officials of development projects near the site of the incident. The committee had been formed to determine the safety of Block 2 and 3 of the Highland Towers following the collapse of Block 1 on Dec 11 which killed 48 people.

97. Disaster probe to cost RM600,000 NST-CITYX 26/02/1994  By Abdul Razak Chik
    THE inquiry into the Highland Towers disaster is expected to cost the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) at least RM600,000. Council president Abdul Karim Munisar said this was the sum the council would be spending by the time the inquiry was completed at the end of March.

98. Highland Towers rescue teams honoured NST 28/02/1994
    KUALA LUMPUR, Sun. - Search and rescue teams from France, Japan, Singapore and local teams who assisted in the Highland Towers tragedy were today presented with awards of recognition from the Rotary Club of Kuala Lumpur West. The awards were presented to representatives of the teams by Deputy National Unity and Social Development Minister Datuk Alex Lee, the guest of honour at the Rotary Club's "World Understanding and Peace and Vocational awards" night.

99. Confronting a guilt MB 01/03/1994  By Jacqueline Ho
    IT WAS 1 AM at Highland Towers. Huge spotlights trained on the collapsed Block A gave it a ghostly halo. Periodically, rescue teams would rush by, sirens screaming. Jean was oblivious to it all as she gazed at her former home for a long time. `It was incredibly eerie. My hair was standing on end,' she recalls. `Then I remembered my neighbours.' Her dead neighbours.

100. Dental records can help make identification easier NST 02/03/1994 By Johardy Ibrahim
     THE collapse of the Highland Towers condominium block in Hulu Klang last December which claimed at least 48 lives may be fading in the memories of many but not for a group of experts whose task was to identify the bodies of the victims. It was the biggest challenge they have ever come across.

101. Inquiry waiting for technical reports MM 04/03/1994
     THE Ampang Jaya Municipal Council inquiry into the condition of Block B and Block C of the Highland Towers condominium will continue in three weeks' time. Inquiry committee chairman Abdul Karim Munisar said the committee had heard testimony from residents, developers and several government departments.

102. `Developer submitted plan for approval in 1964'  MM 04/03/1994
     THE Highland Towers project developer first submitted the project layout plan to the Selangor Town and Country Planning Department for approval in 1964. Department director Norasiah Yahaya said records the department had on the project, traced its beginnings to that year.

103. Highland Towers inquiry postponed NST 04/03/1994
     KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council's (MPAJ) inquiry into the safety of Blocks Two and Three of the Highland Towers condominiums in Hulu Klang was postponed today to enable the Technical Committee to table its report. MPAJ President Abdul Karim Munisar said the inquiry would resume in three weeks' time after the committee comprising experts had completed its report.

104. Dapat sijil penghargaan HM 05/03/1994
     KUALA LUMPUR: Keberanian dan semangat waja anggota tentera yang terbabit dalam kerja menyelamat ketika tragedi runtuhan pangsapuri, Highland Towers di Hulu Klang, Disember lalu mendapat penghargaan. Semalam, anggota terbabit menerima sijil penghargaan daripada Panglima 11 Briged, Brig-Jen Datuk Lahadzir Salleh kerana usaha gigih mereka.

105. Pahang stops hillslope projects BT 24/03/1994
     THE Pahang Government yesterday ordered a freeze to hillslope construction projects following the collapse of three apartment unit balconies in Fraser's Hill on Tuesday. Pilecon Engineering Bhd, the owner of the landslide-hit Pines Resort, has been asked to submit construction plans to the state government for safety verification. The Government wanted to determine the building's structural strength, particularly its piling works, Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalil Yaakob said. "Preliminary reports show that the balconies of the apartments gave way due to underground earth movements, just like what happened in the Highland Towers tragedy," he told a news conference at his office in Kuantan. "The reports say the whole building may collapse," he said. The balconies collapsed at about 9pm, some two hours after earth movements were detected, but no one was injured. - Bernama

106. Hillslope peril exposed NST 24/03/1994
     ANOTHER reminder of the Highland Towers tragedy ... this is Fraser's Pine Resort in Fraser's Hill, a cluster of 96 three-room apartments built on steep hillslopes, after a section collapsed on Tuesday night following a landslip. Fortunately, there was not a single soul in the apartment as the resort was unoccupied when the landslip occurred about 9pm.

107. Timely reminder on safety BT 25/03/1994
     IT WAS a timely reminder of the Highland Towers disaster in Ulu Klang last December when a block of luxury condominiums came crashing down interring 48 occupants. On Tuesday night a section of a cluster of 96 three-room apartments of the Fraser's Pine Resort, built on Fraser's Hill scenic steep hillslopes, collapsed following a landslip. Three balconies and a living room were brought down 50 metres when the pillars supporting them gave way. Preliminary investigations show the landslip was caused by earth movements due to water retention. It was just as well that the apartments were unoccupied at the time. Otherwise, there would have been another disaster. However, lives lost would still have been lives lost, never mind the number. We have not become so callous that we only label disasters as such when the death toll passes a certain mark. The collapse at Fraser's Hill should jolt us out of our complacency. After the Highland Towers incident there was a flurry of activities and a batch of new regulations, ostensibly to make high-rise development and living safe. Even then, there was a marked drop in the sale of condominiums in the Klang Valley and several states after the disaster. Just when confidence was starting to return following the announced steps to prevent recurrences, this had to happen.

108. Another blow for sales of high-rise apartments MM 25/03/1994
     THE Fraser's Pine Resort landslide incident may affect sales of hillslope high-rise buildings, say property brokers. Several said the incident would make it difficult to sell these properties as was the case after last December's Highland Towers tragedy which claimed 48 lives.