Justice to Be Done

Justice to Be Done
05/12/2000 Source: http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/96/0223/letters.html

THE HIGHLAND TOWERS OWNERS & Residents Committee congratulates Asiaweek on "A Towering Shame: Malaysia Must Punish Its Negligent Builders" [EDITORIALS, Jan. 26]. It was bold, forthright and to the point.

There is one point I would like to clarify. Your report emphasized negligence in the design, construction and maintenance of the fallen building. According to our technical experts, these factors (if they existed) were certainly not the principal factors in the collapse.

As the government's report indicated, the principal cause was a massive landslide triggered by waterlogging on the hillslope. This in turn was due to lack of proper drainage construction and maintenance resulting in hillslope instability, and also the dumping of excessive water run-off from the adjacent hilltop property.

It is indeed a towering shame that justice has not been done for more than two years. Two endangered towers remain unattended and stand as evidence for all to see. We are sure, however, that justice will prevail as we pursue it through negotiations and the courts. We have faith in our government, our system and our people.

Dr. Benjamin George
Highland Towers
Kuala Lumpur