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1998

1. Engineer of Highland Towers to face charges NST 05/05/1998 By Patvinder Singh
   KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - More than four years after the Highland Towers tragedy that killed 48 people on Dec 11, 1993, the Board of Engineers Malaysia has brought charges against the consultant engineer of the condominium project. A top BEM official said today a tentative date had been set for hearing where engineer Wong Yuen Kean would be judged by his peers on matters relating to ethics and professionalism.

2. Reka bentuk tembok punca tanah runtuh HM 11/03/1999
   KUALA LUMPUR: Seorang jurutera sivil memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi di sini semalam kesilapan dalam reka bentuk tembok batu yang dibina di belakang Blok Satu Kondominium Highland Towers mungkin antara punca berlakunya tanah runtuh di situ. Nik Ramlan Nik Hassan, 46, yang sebelum ini dari Institut Kerja Raya Malaysia (Ikram), berkata tanah runtuh itu berpunca daripada beberapa siri tanah runtuh dan ia tidak semestinya berlaku secara berturut-turut.

3. Jurutera tidak sedar pembetung di belakang Highland Towers BH 12/03/1999
   KUALA LUMPUR, Khamis - Seorang pelukis pelan yang sudah bersara, memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi di sini hari ini bahawa kerja tanah di belakang Highland Towers dilakukan oleh pemaju, Highland Towers Properties, tanpa sebarang pengawasan jurutera. Wong Tin Sang, 63, juga berkata bahawa tembok penahan pada lereng dan di kawasan blok Highland Towers itu juga direkabentuk dan dibina oleh pemaju dan tidak ada jurutera yang mengawasinya.

4. Tiada jurutera awasi kerja bina tembok HM 12/03/1999
   KUALA LUMPUR: Seorang pelukis pelan yang sudah bersara memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi di sini, semalam bahawa kerja-kerja tanah di belakang Highland Towers dilakukan oleh pemaju, Highland Towers Properties, tanpa sebarang pengawasan jurutera. Wong Tin Sang, 63, juga berkata tembok penahan pada lereng dan di kawasan blok Highland Towers itu direka bentuk dan dibina oleh pemaju dan tidak ada jurutera yang mengawasinya.

5. Pelukis pelan sedar ada anak sungai BH 13/03/1999
   KUALA LUMPUR, Jumaat - Pelukis pelan pangsapuri Highland Towers yang runtuh enam tahun lalu, memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi di sini hari ini, beliau merujuk kepada satu salinan pelan pertapakan yang diluluskan sebelumnya oleh Majlis Bandaran Gombak ketika membuat pelannya. Wong Tin Sang, 63, yang juga defendan kedua, berkata salinan itu serta maklumat asas yang diperlukan untuk membuat pelan itu diberikan oleh pemaju, Highland Properties Sdn Bhd (defendan pertama).

6. Pelukis akui tiru pelan perancangan HM 13/03/1999
   KUALA LUMPUR: Seorang pesara pelukis pelan memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi di sini, semalam bahawa beliau meniru pelan perancangan pembangunan tapak Highland Towers daripada satu pelan yang diluluskan sebelum ia diberikan oleh pemaju Highland Towers Properties tanpa pergi ke lereng bukit. Wong Tin Sang, 63, berkata pertama kali beliau pergi ke lereng bukit itu ialah pada Ogos tahun lalu ketika mahkamah membuat lawatan ke kawasan itu.

7. Witness: I drew plans for Highland Towers NST 13/03/1999 By Sujatani Poosparajah
   KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - A retired draughtsman told the High Court today he drew the layout plans for Highland Towers based on a copy of a layout plan which had been approved for a previous developer on the site. Wong Tin Sang, 63, said the layout plan which contained basic information like configurations, measurements, lots and contours, was given to him by the developer of Highland Towers, Highland Properties Sdn Bhd. The previous developer was not named.

8. Highland Towers: Saksi dakwa sudah nasihatkan pemaju BH 16/03/1999
   KUALA LUMPUR, Isnin - Seorang pelukis pelan yang sudah bersara memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi di sini hari ini bahawa beliau tidak bertanggungjawab ke atas sistem perparitan di lereng bukit kerana beliau telah menasihatkan pemaju kondominium Highland Towers mengenai perkara itu. Wong Tin Sang, 63, berkata projek Highland Towers memerlukan seorang jurutera struktur dan beliau telah mendesak Highland Towers Properties Sdn Bhd, melantik seorang jurutera struktur bagi lereng bukit itu.

9. Pelukis pelan nasihat pemaju HM 16/03/1999
   KUALA LUMPUR: Seorang pelukis pelan yang sudah bersara memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi di sini semalam bahawa beliau tidak bertanggungjawab ke atas sistem perparitan di lereng bukit kerana telah menasihatkan pemaju kondominium Highland Towers mengenai perkara itu. Wong Tin Sang, 63, berkata projek Highland Towers memerlukan seorang jurutera struktur dan beliau mendesak Highland Towers Properties Sdn Bhd, melantik seorang jurutera struktur bagi lereng bukit itu.

10. `I was not responsible for drainage system' NST 16/03/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - A retired draughtsman told the High Court today that he was not responsible for the drainage system at the hillslope of the Highland Towers condominium and had advised the developer on the matter. Wong Tin Sang, 63, said the Highland Towers project required a structural engineer and he did insist that the developer, Highland Towers Properties Sdn Bhd, engage one for the hillslope.

11. `Not all drains built according to approved plan' NST 17/03/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. - A civil engineer told the High Court today that not all of the main drains at the Highland Towers site were constructed according to the plan approved by the Drainage and Irrigation Department. Wong Yuen Kean, 56, when questioned by his counsel, S. Melvin, said this was because the road at the hillslope was not levelled and the developer, Highland Properties Sdn Bhd, was financially tight.

12. Masalah wang punca longkang tidak dibina BH 18/03/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Rabu - Seorang jurutera awam memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi di sini hari ini dia tidak membina longkang untuk mengalirkan air daripada paip pembentung di lereng bukit ke parit utama di hadapan blok Highland Towers. Wong Yuen Kean, 56, berkata paip pembentung yang membawa air dibuang ke satu kawasan yang dimiliki oleh Kerajaan Selangor dan ia tidak menjejaskan persekitaran.

13. Oil rail piles used for condo blocks, says civil engineer NST 19/03/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - A civil engineer told the High Court today that some used rail piles were used for the foundation of the three blocks of the Highland Towers condominium. Wong Yuen Kean, however, said that most of the rail piles were new because he rejected most of the used rail piles when he and his workers made a check during the delivery of the rail piles.

14. Kontraktor guna cerucuk rel terpakai HM 20/03/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR: Mahkamah Tinggi di sini, semalam diberitahu bahawa lembaga penyiasat Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) dimaklumkan oleh wakil kontraktor cerucuk blok Highland Towers bahawa cerucuk rel yang digunakan untuk asas bangunan itu adalah daripada yang sudah digunakan. Ini diberitahu oleh peguam Cecil Abraham yang mewakili Arab-Malaysian Finance Bhd, pemilik lereng bukit teres di belakang blok Highland Towers yang runtuh, ketika beliau memeriksa balas jurutera awam, Wong Yuen Kean, 56, yang dilantik oleh Highland Properties Sdn Bhd pada 1975.

15. MDG tidak hentikan pembinaan Highland Towers BH 23/03/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Isnin - Majlis Daerah Gombak (MDG) tidak menghentikan kerja pembinaan kondominium Highland Towers walaupun pemaju gagal mengemukakan pelan saliran untuk mengalirkan air dari kawasan itu ke Sungai Ulu Klang. Bekas pegawai daerah Gombak dari 1977 hingga 1982, Ahmad Zaini Mohd Yusof memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi di sini, hari ini, beliau tidak menarik balik sijil layak menduduki (CF) yang dikeluarkan pada 1978 bagi Blok Satu Kondominium Highland Towers.

16. Fraser's Hill project causing environs woes NST 23/03/1999  By Peter Abdul Razak Bostock
    AS though the Highland Towers incident wasn't warning enough, man-made disasters have again been thrust into the public eye with the recent mud flow mess at Puchong Perdana and other sites. Naturally, the public turn to the Government for help and protection from errant developers.

17. `No stop-work order although drainage plan wasn't submitted' NST 23/03/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - The Gombak Municipal Council (MDG) did not issue a stop work order on the Highland Towers project despite the developer's failure to submit a drainage plan to channel water from the area to Sungai Ulu Klang, the High Court heard today. Gombak district officer from 1977 to 1982, Ahmad Zaini Mohamed Yusof, admitted that he also did not withdraw the Certificate of Fitness issued in 1978 for Block One of the Highland Towers.

18. Sistem perparitan tidak perlu diperiksa: Saksi BH 25/03/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Rabu - Seorang pembantu teknik Majlis Daerah Gombak (MDG), hari ini, memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi di sini dia tidak nampak mengenai pentingnya untuk menyiasat sistem perparitan di kawasan lereng bukit di belakang Highland Towers kerana tiada aktiviti pembangunan dijalankan di kawasan itu. Mohd Haris Amir, 38, ketika menjawab soalan peguam Arab-Malaysian Finance Bhd (defenden kelima) Cecil Abraham, berkata dia tidak nampak sebarang kerja tanah yang banyak di kawasan lereng bukit itu sewaktu memeriksa pembinaan longkang utama di kawasan berkenaan.

19. Inspection of drainage was not vital, court told NST 25/03/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. - A local authority technician told the High Court today he did not see the importance of checking the drainage system at the hillslopes behind Highland Towers during an inspection as there were no development activities there. Mohd Haris Amir, 38, said he did not see any massive earthworks being carried out on the hillslopes when he went to inspect the construction of main drains at the area on Dec 2, 1985.

20. Building inspector: I suggested CF be issued without checking interior NST 26/03/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - A building inspector with a local authority told the High Court today that he had proposed that a certificate of fitness be issued to three blocks of the Highland Towers without inspecting their interior. Idris Hamid, 48, said there was no need for him to go into the buildings to make an inspection as he was sure the buildings had been built according to the approved plans.

21. `Highland Tower's hillslope drainage system not repaired until today' NST 27/03/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - The drainage system at the terraced hillslope behind the Highland Towers block that collapsed in 1993 has not been repaired until today despite a letter from the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) ordering the landowner to do so immediately after the tragedy, the High Court heard today. Yazid Sarkom, 32, an architect with MPAJ, said he signed a letter dated March 26, 1994, addressed to Arab-Malaysian Finance Bhd stating the MPAJ's concern about the drainage system and ordering AMFB to repair it within a week.

22. `Master drainage plan was proposed' NST 01/04/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. - A master drainage plan was proposed for the hillslopes of the Highland Towers area after the collapse of Block One on Dec 11, 1993, the High Court here heard today. Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) architect Yazid Sarkom, 32, said the proposal was made at a meeting held by the MPAJ on Jan 4, 1995.

23. AMFB tidak adakan saliran sementara HM 03/04/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR: Pemilik lot kosong di belakang kondominium Highland Towers, Arab-Malaysian Finance Bhd (AMFB), tidak mengadakan sistem saliran sementara kerana ia menunggu sistem induk yang akan dibina untuk keseluruhan kawasan itu, Mahkamah Tinggi di sini, semalam, diberitahu. Pengurus kanan AMFB, Siow Swee Eng, 41, berkata pelan sistem sementara untuk 50 lot itu hanya dibuat untuk tujuan dimasukkan ke dalam sistem saliran induk.

24. No temporary drainage system installed on AMFB land, court told NST 03/04/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - Arab-Malaysian Finance Bhd, the owner of vacant lots behind the collapsed Highland Towers, did not install a temporary drainage system because it was waiting for a master drainage system to be built for the entire area, the High Court heard today. AMFB senior manager Siow Swee Eng, 41, said the temporary drainage plan proposed for their 50 lots was only created for the purpose of incorporating it into the master drainage plan.

25. Retaining walls at hillslopes not on AMFB land, court told NST 06/04/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - The illegally constructed retaining walls at the hillslopes around Highland Towers were not built on Arab-Malaysia Finance Bhd land, the High Court heard today. AMFB senior manager Seow Swee Eng, 41, said that was why AMFB did not take any steps to check on the legality of the walls as suggested by Tropics Development Sdn Bhd which said, in a letter dated March 4, 1992, that the walls were illegally erected on a government road reserve.

26. Urgent action is needed to halt rape of our hills NST 08/04/1999 By Adrienne Tan
    IT is high time the relevant authorities took some much needed action to prevent the outrageous destruction of trees on our hills, forests and animal reserves. Last month saw a sad report on residents of Taman Cuepacs, Cheras, being the dire victims of flood and mud flow from the hill land above, which was cleared of the forest at Bukit Sungai Puteh, to make way for a housing estate.

27. Engineer: Cracks seen on walls built on hillslopes NST 08/04/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. - The rubble walls built behind and in front of Block Two of the Highland Towers had several cracks, a former manager of a firm of consulting engineers told the High Court here today. Han King Guan, formerly of Dames & Moore (M) Sdn Bhd, said he also saw timber supporting the rubble walls when he visited the site the second time, on Jan 18, 1994.

28. Witness: Soil was very permeable NST 09/04/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - A soil investigation test conducted by a consulting firm showed that the soil at the Highland Towers site was very permeable, enabling water to seep through, the High Court here was told today. Han King Guan, 43, former geotechnical engineering manager of consulting firm Dames & Moore (M) Sdn Bhd, said the test carried out by him indicated that the soil in the area was essentially sand.

29. Retrogressive landslide likely, court told BT 10/04/1999
    THE High Court in Kuala Lumpur yesterday was told that the hillslope behind block three of the Highland Towers would likely experience a retrogressive landslide proceeding upslope. This was the view of former geotechnical engineer manager of consulting firm Dames & Moore (M) Sdn Bhd, Han King Guan, 43, who said he arrived at that conclusion from the slope stability analysis he conducted on the terraced hillslope behind the block.

30. `Hill slope collapse might have been retrogressive' NST 10/04/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - The High Court here today was told that the hill slope behind block three of the Highland Towers would likely experience a retrogressive landslide proceeding up-slope. This was the view of former geotechnical engineer manager of consulting firm Dames & Moore (M) Sdn Bhd, Han King Guan, 43, who said he arrived at that conclusion from the slope stability analysis he conducted on the terraced hill slope behind the block three.

31. Engineer tells court why he did not do suggested tests NST 13/04/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - A former geotechnical engineering manager of a consulting firm today denied that he did not carry out some analysis at the hillslope of Highland Towers as suggested by counsel because he was not aware of any specific techniques required for landslide investigations. Han King Guan, 43, fomerly from Dames & Moore (M) Sdn Bhd said he did not do some of the analysis suggested by counsel N. Rajendran because he was at the site at a later stage and it was impossible to do the analysis then because the surface at the site had already changed extensively due to the rescue operations.

32. Pemaju dinasihat usah bina banglo HM 10/03/1999 
    KUALA LUMPUR: Seorang pelukis pelan yang sudah bersara memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi di sini, semalam, dia pernah menasihati pemaju Highland Towers Properties supaya tidak membina banglo di lereng bukit di belakang blok-blok Highland Towers, kerana tanah di situ berbatu dan curam. Wong Tin Sang, 63, berkata dia secara rasmi dilantik oleh seorang pengarah Highland Towers Properties, Yap Kim Kee, sebagai jururunding untuk membina tiga blok 12 tingkat apartmen mewah di kawasan itu.

33. Kesilapan rekabentuk mungkin punca tanah runtuh BH 11/03/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Rabu - Seorang jurutera sivil memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi di sini hari ini bahawa kesilapan dalam rekabentuk tembok batu yang dibina di belakang Blok Satu Kondominium Highland Towers mungkin antara punca berlakunya tanah runtuh di situ. Nik Ramlan Nik Hassan, 46, yang sebelum ini dari Institut Kerja Raya Malaysia (Ikram), berkata tanah runtuh itu berpunca daripada beberapa siri tanah runtuh dan ia tidak semestinya berlaku secara berturut-turut.

34. Have we forgotten so soon? MM 17/05/1999 By Terence Fernandez
    GRIM images of the Highland Towers tragedy in 1993 came back to haunt residents of Bukit Antarabangsa and Ukay Heights last Saturday morning, following a massive landslide. Known for our "short" memory and hangat-hangat tahi ayam nature, we have quickly forgotten the 48 lives lost when the 12-storey Block B collapsed on the afternoon of Dec 11, 1993.

35. Development activities major factor contributing to landslides NST 17/05/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Sun. - Apart from torrential and incessant rain, development activities are one the major factors contributing to landslides, with the collapse of the Highland Towers in December 1993 that killed 48 people remaining the worst incident. In the pursuit of progress, the natural drainage of hills has been disrupted by ill-planned development, encroachment, illegal land-clearing and indiscriminate agricultural activities.

36. Resident was given assurance of hill's safety 18/05/1999 NST
    KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - Like many of his fellow residents at the Atheneum On The Peak condominum, Dr Juhani Murros is angry at having to evacuate his home, especially after getting assurance from the developer five years ago that the hill was safe

37. Landslides: Cabinet must be firm NST 19/05/1999
    IT is shameful and shocking that we have not learned from the 1993 Highland Towers collapse, which took 48 lives, and the numerous landslide tragedies in our midst. This week as the authorities grapple with the problem of landslides at Bukit Antarabangsa in Ampang Jaya, near the tower, the unsatisfactory state of affairs has been laid bare to us. The Science, Technology and Environment Ministry appears not to be found wanting in trying. But its hands are tied as it is clear that while it is entrusted with the responsibility of looking into environmental problems, it has neither the authority to execute the decisions made nor the wide powers to haul up violators. Land matters fall under the jurisdiction of State Governments and supervision of projects is under them or the local authorities.

38. Getting `help' from Hong Kong MM 16/08/1999 By Meor Shariman
    HONG KONG and Ampang Jaya, one a city and the other a municipality but both have something in common-LANDSLIDES. After the Highland Towers tragedy and the recent Bukit Antarabangsa landslide, the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council is leaving no stone unturned to prevent a recurrence.

39. Tembok lemah punca Highland Towers runtuh BH 17/08/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Isnin - Rekabentuk yang tidak sempurna bagi tembok yang dibina untuk menyokong cerun bukit di belakang satu daripada blok Highland Towers ialah punca runtuhan yang mengorbankan 48 orang. Perunding jurutera geoteknikal Prof N E Simons memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi di sini hari ini, kelemahan tembok itu ialah punca utama tanah runtuh.

40. Rubble walls near Highland Towers not properly designed NST 17/08/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - The improper design of the rubble walls built to support the hillslope terrace behind one of the Highland Tower blocks was the cause of a landslide, killing 48 people, the High Court was told today. Consulting geotechnical engineer Prof N.E. Simons from Surrey, United Kingdom, said the weakness of the rubble walls was the fundamental cause of the landslide.

41. `Demolish and rebuild Highland Towers' NST 20/08/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - An expert today suggested the demolition and rebuilding of the remaining two Highland Towers apartment blocks as an economical solution to make the buildings habitable. Consultant geotechnical engineer Professor Noel Edward Simons told the High Court, however, that this suggestion needed a thorough study as there were other solutions.

42. Analisis tapak Highland Towers tak relevan HM 21/08/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR: Analisis yang dijalankan di tapak Highland Towers tahun lalu tidak membawa sebarang erti kerana tidak relevan dengan keadaannya empat tahun sebelum itu, seorang pakar memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi di sini, semalam. Jurutera perunding geoteknikal, Profesor Noel Edward Simons, berkata keadaan tanah akan berubah dari keadaan ketika tragedi runtuhan berlaku di situ pada 1993.

43. Highland Towers site analysis meaningless, says expert NST 21/08/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - The Highland Towers site analysis conducted last year would be meaningless, regardless of the instruments used, the High Court was told today. Consulting geotechnical engineer Prof Noel Edward Simons said the ground conditions would have changed from what they were when the tragedy occurred.

44. Peluang Smart tunjuk kemampuan BH 23/08/1999  By Bakhari Ariff
    BAGAI ada hikmah di sebalik tumbangnya pangsapuri mewah Highland Towers pada 11 Disember 1993, meskipun kejadian itu menyebabkan kematian 48 orang. Siapa menyangka akhirnya negara ini mempunyai pasukan yang boleh membantu mangsa bencana yang tak terduga, dalam dan luar negara? Gempa bumi berukuran 7.4 skala Richter di barat laut Turki sejak Selasa lalu, turut `menggemparkan' simpati seluruh rakyat negara ini. Bayangkan, berpuluh ribu bangunan musnah dan dijangka lebih 40,000 nyawa terkorban.

45. Debris `could be cause of collapse' NST 24/08/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - The High Court was told today that the collapse of Block One of Highland Towers in December 1993 could be due to accumulated debris from the hillside. A consulting geotechnical engineer, Professor Noel Edward Simons, said the heaving of the debris from the hillside could have put a load to destabilise Block One