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Highland Towers Collapse
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2004 to 2007

1. Keputusan rayuan MPAJ hari ini HM 06/02/2004
   PUTRAJAYA: Mahkamah Persekutuan di sini, hari ini akan memutuskan mengenai permohonan Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) untuk mengemukakan rayuan terhadap keputusan Mahkamah Rayuan menetapkan pihak berkuasa tempatan itu bertanggungjawab terhadap perkara yang menyumbang sehingga runtuhnya satu blok kondominium Highland Towers pada 1993 berikutan saman kecuaian dikemukakan oleh penghuni dua blok kondominium di kawasan yang sama.

2. Decision today on MPAJ's appeal application for leave MM 06/02/2004
   PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court yesterday deferred to today its decision on the application by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) for leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision apportioning it pre-collapse liability in the negligence suit by 73 Highland Towers residents. Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Amar Steve Shim Lip Kiong, who sat with Federal Court judges Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad and Datuk Wira Mohamed Noor, earlier heard submissions by counsel V.S. Viswanathan appearing for the MPAJ and counsel N. Rajendran who represented the residents of two remaining blocks of the Highland Towers condominium following the collapse of one block in 1993.

3. Court defers decision on MPAJ appeal in Highland Towers suit NST 06/02/2004
   PUTRAJAYA, Thurs. - The Federal Court today deferred till tomorrow its decision on an application by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) for leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision apportioning its pre-collapse liability in the negligence suit filed by 73 Highland Towers residents. Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Amar Steve Shim Lip Kiong, who sat with Federal Court judges Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad and Datuk Wira Mohamed Noor, earlier heard submissions from counsel V.S. Viswanathan appearing for MPAJ and counsel N. Rajendran who represented the residents of two remaining blocks of the Highland Towers condominium.

4. Highland Towers: Rayuan MPAJ dibenar BH 07/02/2004
   PUTRAJAYA: Mahkamah Persekutuan di sini semalam membenarkan permohonan Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) untuk merayu keputusan Mahkamah Rayuan yang mensabitkan majlis perbandaran itu terhadap kerugian selepas pangsapuri Highland Towers runtuh mengakibatkan kecurian dan kerosakan barang serta vandalisme. Ketua Hakim Sabah dan Sarawak, Datuk Amar Steve Shin Lip Kiong yang bersidang bersama Hakim Mahkamah Persekutuan, Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad dan Datuk Wira Mohd Noor Ahmad, memutuskan permohonan itu dibenarkan berasaskan empat persoalan undang-undang dikemukakan MPAJ.

5. Highland Towers negligence suit: MPAJ to appeal MM 07/02/2004
   PUTRAJAYA: The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) was granted leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision which had apportioned the local authority of pre-collapsed liability in a negligence suit by residents of two blocks of the Highland Towers condominium in which another block collapsed in 1993.

6. Highland Towers case: Council wins bid to appeal decision NST 07/02/2004
   PUTRAJAYA, Fri. - The Federal Court today granted Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision over its liability in a negligence suit filed by 73 Highland Towers residents. In an unanimous ruling, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Amar Steve Shim Lip Kiong, who sat with Federal Court judges Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad and Datuk Wira Mohamed Noor confined MPAJ's appeal to the apex court to only four points of law.

7. Highland Towers kembali tenang HM 05/05/2004 By Mohd Izawan Baharin
   AMPANG: Bangunan Highland Towers yang sebelum ini dikatakan menjadi sarang penagih dadah dan tempat remaja berpeleseran, kembali tenang berikutan pemantauan berterusan pihak berkuasa. Tinjauan Harian Metro, semalam, mendapati dua blok bangunan di situ sunyi sepi, namun ada sampah sarap dibuang merata tempat.

8. Highland Towers: RM52m out-of-court settlement MM 01/06/2004 By Dennis Chua
   KUALA LUMPUR: AMFB Holdings Bhd's subsidiary, AmFinance Bhd, has entered into a RM52 million out-of-court settlement for three lawsuits against it by the families of people who died in the Highland Towers tragedy a decade ago. In a statement to Bursa Malaysia yesterday, the board of directors of AMFB announced the settlement whereby "AmFinance agrees to pay the plaintiffs in the suits a settlement sum of RM52 million in full and final settlement of the suits and claims against the company, inclusive of costs arising from the suits".

9. Highland Towers suits: RM52m payout NST 01/06/2004
   KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - Another chapter of the Highland Towers tragedy closed today when a defendant settled three suits out-of-court for RM52 million. AmFinance Bhd settled with 139 plaintiffs who filed the suits in 1994 and 1996, it said in an announcement.

10. Victims, residents far from happy MM 02/06/2004 By Ghaz Ramli
    KUALA LUMPUR: While their lawyers have labelled the out-of-court settlement as fair, residents and families of victims of the Highland Towers tragedy were "not happy" with the RM52 million settlement. Highland Towers' residents' committee chairman Dr Benjamin George said they were pleased to finally get something after battling for more than a decade.

11. Landslip on hill started chain reaction MM 02/06/2004
    KUALA LUMPUR: On Dec 11, 1993, Block 1 of the Highland Towers apartments in Taman Hillview, Hulu Selangor, collapsed because of a massive landslip from the hill behind it. The nation was shocked. It prompted immediate action from the authorities.

12. Other claims still pending, say lawyers MM 02/06/2004 By Pauline Almeida
    KUALA LUMPUR: The long hard battle may have been won by the families of those who died in the Highland Towers tragedy in Hulu Kelang more than a decade ago when a RM52 million out-of-court settlement was reached on Monday. However, the war is far from over.

13. MPAJ waiting for court's decision on appeal MM 02/06/2004
    AMPANG: The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) is still waiting for the court's decision on its appeal made earlier this year on a negligence suit filed by 73 Highland Towers residents. The Federal Court on Feb 7 this year had granted the MPAJ leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision on Dec 3, 2002, apportioning MPAJ, alongside developer Highland Properties Sdn Bhd, a pre-collapse liability of 15 per cent.

14. Settlement a long time coming, says rescuer MM 02/06/2004
    KUALA LUMPUR: The RM52 million out-of-court settlement for families of Highland Towers victims came as a surprise to one of the volunteer workers who was involved in the search and rescue operation 11 years ago. A Malaysian Red Crescent Society volunteer, D. Sivalingam, said the settlement took too long to conclude.

15. Ex-residents just want to move on NST 02/06/2004 By Chow Kum Hor; Syed Umar Ariff; Tan Choe Choe
    KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. - The relief was palpable. The money will be useful. But after more than a decade, former residents of Highland Towers are waiting for the day when their legal battles will be over. "We don't want to dwell in the past anymore. We are glad to get whatever we can get in terms of damages. The legal battle has taken its toll on everyone and we just want what is due," said Dr Benjamin George, the Highland Towers Owners' and Residents' committee chairman.

16. Highland Towers: Settlement has no effect on other suits NST 02/06/2004
    KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. - The RM52 million settlement over the Highland Towers tragedy has no impact on the cases against the other six defendants being sued. Counsel for the plantiffs N. Rajendra said his clients would see the cases through against the other defendants.

17. Waiting for closure NST 03/06/2004
    IT took mere seconds to destroy precious lives and property with the collapse of Block One of the Highland Towers in December 1993. It is taking more than a decade for the survivors to even come near to closing this tragic chapter of their lives. Although the Owners and Residents Committee have greeted the RM52 million out-of-court settlement with some relief, their legal battles are far from over. This is but one suit, but the outcome, say members, has given them encouragement to forge on. Nevertheless, as stated by a former resident of Block 2, "for those who lost relatives and loved ones, no sum of money is going to replace them". Compensation, however, will help them build the foundations for a new life. The committee chairman, Dr Benjamin George, has said the settlement for all 139 victims was no windfall but much needed money to settle housing loans for new homes after the tragedy.

18. Ruling on residents' application for appeal on Tuesday 21/06/2004 The Sun
    PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court will decide on Tuesday whether to grant leave to 73 Highland Towers condominium residents to cross-appeal the Court of Appeal's decision over the apportionment of liability to the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) in their negligence suit.

19. Highland Towers decision today NST 22/06/2004
    PUTRAJAYA, Mon. - The Federal Court will decide tomorrow whether to grant leave to 73 residents of the Highland Towers condominium to cross-appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision on the apportionment of liability to the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) in their negligence suit. Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Haidar Mohamed Noor, who sat with Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong and Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Arifin Zakaria, today heard submissions from MPAJ's counsel V.S. Viswanathan, and Y. Ramachandran, counsel for the residents.

20. 73 penghuni Highland Towers dibenar buat rayuan balas BH-EKO 23/06/2004
    PUTRAJAYA: Mahkamah Persekutuan semalam, memberikan kebenaran kepada 73 penghuni kondominium Highland Towers untuk mengemukakan rayuan balas terhadap keputusan Mahkamah Rayuan berhubung pengagihan liabiliti kepada Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) dalam saman cuai mereka. Hakim Besar Malaya, Tan Sri Haidar Mohamed Noor, yang bersidang bersama Hakim Besar Sabah dan Sarawak, Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong dan Hakim Mahkamah Rayuan, Datuk Arifin Zakaria sebulat suara membenarkan permohonan bagi satu persoalan undang-undang untuk ditentukan oleh mahkamah.

21. Court Grants Leave To Highland Towers Residents To Cross-appeal 22/06/2004 Bernama.com
    PUTRAJAYA, June 22 (Bernama) -- The Federal Court here Tuesday granted leave to 73 residents of the Highland Towers condominium to cross-appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision on the apportionment of liability to the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) in their negligence suit.

22. Leave to appeal allowed in Highland Towers case 23/06/2004 The Star
    PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court granted the 73 residents and owners of Blocks Two and Three of Highland Towers leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision on the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council's (MPAJ) post-collapse liability.

23. 'Separate agency to check hillslope projects a must' 22/11/2004 NST
    THERE must be a separate agency to monitor all hillslope developments and vet applications for new ones to prevent a repeat of the Highland Towers tragedy which killed 48 people, a prominent geologist said. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Prof Dr Ibrahim Komo said the agency should be made wholly responsible for approving hillside projects.

24. Hillside tragedies: What was said then ... NST 22/11/2004
    * Dec 11, 1993: Block One of the Highland Towers collapses, killing 48 people. "High-rise buildings should not be allowed on hillsides because of environmental and safety reasons. It is against the Land Conservation Act 1960." - Former Department of Environment director-general Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Jaafar.

25. Memories will live on 10/12/2004 The Sun Maria J. Dass
    LORRAINE TAN, like other former residents of Highland Towers, was looking forward to what would probably be the last ever gathering with former friends and neighbours at the site Saturday, before the property is handed over to the bank. Sadly, Tan will not be able to experience the final farewell. She died on Nov 30, after battling cancer for almost a year.

26. Waris mangsa Highland Towers rayu selesai masalah pampasan BM 12/12/2004  By Rasheffa Abdul Rashid
    KUALA LUMPUR: Semalam genap sebelas tahun tragedi kondominium Highland Towers di Taman Hill View, Hulu Klang, runtuh dan mengorbankan 48 nyawa penghuninya, namun pemergian mereka masih dirasai dan terus dikenang ahli keluarga terdekat. Suasana hening dan pilu menyelubungi kawasan tragedi itu semalam apabila kira-kira 100 waris dan sahabat handai mangsa tragedi itu melawat kawasan berkenaan sempena ulang tahun ke-11 tragedi itu.

27. Heartaches remain after 11 years SUM 12/12/2004  By Meera Murugesan
    "I still see them everyday," says Dr P.G. George. It's actually been 11 years since Dr George last saw his beloved wife and two daughters, but for the man who lost his entire family in the Highland Towers tragedy, memories of them remain fresh and will always be so.

28. The pain lingers - 11 years on NSUNT 12/12/2004 By Carol Murugiah
    KUALA LUMPUR, Sat. - Eleven years have passed since 48 people died when Block One of the Highland Towers collapsed, but owners and former residents are still seeking closure and compensation. Possibly meeting for the last time at the site of the disaster in Hulu Kelang today, some 200 of them sat through a poignant ceremony before laying flowers on a monument to commemorate the lives lost in 1993.

29. Belajar dari satu tragedi 12/12/2004 Utusan Malaysia
    LANGIT mendung tengah hari semalam memayungi majlis perhimpunan tahunan bekas penduduk dan waris mangsa tragedi kondominium runtuh di tapak Highland Towers di pinggir Kuala Lumpur. Di kaki dua blok bangunan yang masih tegak berdiri itu orang bertafakur mengenang peristiwa 11 tahun lalu terutamanya 48 ahli keluarga dan kenalan yang terkorban.

30. `We want to settle compensation issue out of court' 12/12/2004 SUM
    FINAL closure to the 11-year-old Highland Towers collapse tragedy in Hulu Kelang, Selangor, for its residents and owners will only come when their court case against the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) is settled. And the 78 plaintiffs want their case with the local authority to be settled out of court, said Highland Towers Residents and Owners Committee, chairman Dr Benjamin George.

31. Negotiate out-of-court settlement, MPAJ urged 12/12/2004 Sunday Times
    KUALA LUMPUR, Sat. - Owners and former residents of Highland Towers are appealing to the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) to let them "move on with their lives" by accepting partial liability for the collapse of Block One of the condominium 11 years ago.

32. MPAJ: No out-of-court settlement 13/12/2004 The Malay Mail
    KUALA LUMPUR: "We will wait for the court's decision." This is the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) reply to the Highland Towers residents and owners who called for an out-of-court settlement to conclude their compensation claims.

33. Seeking closure 18/12/2004 NST-PROP By Yvonne Yoong
    SURVIVORS of the Highland Towers tragedy are in desperate need of closure, but it won't come about until two issues can be resolved. One of the hindrances lies with their ongoing battle with the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) and the other, the blatant disregard for hillslope development that continues to ravage lives. As the local council responsible for approving and maintaining the area in which the remaining two blocks of Highland Towers stand in Ulu Klang, Selangor, MPAJ has refused to grant the owners compensation as directed by the High Court, and has taken the matter to the Federal Court.

34. Final farewell NST-PROP 18/12/2004
    A SOMBER atmosphere enveloped the Highland Towers site as the crowd started trickling in, at what was the final memorial marking the 11th year since the tragic collapse of Block One, causing the loss of 48 lives. Overcast skies above threatened rain, but it did not fall. It was as if heaven had to contain its tears until the final farewell. In fact, not until the entire memorial was over at about 2.45pm did huge droplets of rain fall, as if in a symbolic gesture of washing away the heart-wrenching memories.

35. Quotes NST-PROP 18/12/2004
    ON the problem at hand with MPAJ: "The tragedy, the heartache and the long fight is still on.... We have suffered enough at the hands of the local authorities and the developers of the land around us. For 11 long years the authorities (that) should have come forward to solve our problems (instead) fought us. Please have pity on us who lost dear ones and our properties. Let us come to a settlement. Let us put an end to this heartache once and for all, without another fight in the Federal Court."

36. Counsel: AMFB alone liable for Highland Towers collapse 19/07/2005 The Star
    PUTRAJAYA: Arab-Malaysian Finance Bhd (AMFB) was solely liable for the collapse of Block One of Highland Towers, counsel for the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) told the Federal Court.V.S. Viswanathan said this was because the drainage of the surrounding areas was in good working condition before AMFB became the owner of the land above Highland Towers.

37. 'Mahkamah terkhilaf perintah MPAJ tanggung ganti rugi' 19/07/2005 Utusan Malaysia
    PUTRAJAYA 18 Julai – Mahkamah Persekutuan hari ini diberitahu bahawa Mahkamah Rayuan terkhilaf apabila mengekalkan perintah bahawa Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) bertanggungjawab menanggung ganti rugi terhadap 82 penghuni dua blok kondominium Highland Towers yang terpaksa berpindah. Peguam V. S. Viswanathan yang mewakili MPAJ, dalam hujahnya berkata, Mahkamah Rayuan telah bertindak melampaui keterangan dan bukti yang dikemukakan di mahkamah dalam membuat keputusan itu.

38. MPAJ partly to blame, court told 20/07/2005 The Star
    PUTRAJAYA: The conduct of the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council's (MPAJ) predecessor, Majlis Daerah Gombak (MDG), clearly contributed to the collapse of Block One of the Highland Towers, the Federal Court heard yesterday.

39. District council did not comply, court told NST 20/07/2005
    PUTRAJAYA, Tues. - The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council's predecessor, Gombak District Council (MDG), had clearly contributed to the collapse of the Highland Towers' Block One, the Federal Court heard today. Counsel N. Rajendra, who represented 82 residents of Block Two and Three of the luxury condominium, said even though the Court of Appeal judges found that the Arab-Malaysian Finance Berhad's acts and omissions had caused the Highland Towers tragedy, it did not mean the acts and omissions of other defendants, including MPAJ, were precluded.

40. Highland Towers: Judgment reserved in MPAJ's appeal MM 21/07/2005
    PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court here yesterday reserved judgment in an appeal brought by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) against a ruling that it is liable for losses suffered by 82 residents of two blocks of Highland Towers condominium when another block collapsed in 1993. Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Justice Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong, sitting with Federal Court judges Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad and Datuk Arifin Zakaria, deferred decision to a date to be fixed after hearing submissions from MPAJ's counsel V.S. Viswanathan and N. Rajendra, counsel for the 82 residents.

41. 'MPAJ not liable for financial losses' 21/07/2005 NST
    PUTRAJAYA, Wed. - The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) is not liable for the losses suffered by 73 residents of two Highland Towers blocks, as they did not prove they were ratepayers. MPAJ counsel V.S. Viswanathan told the Federal Court today the residents also did not lodge any complaints with the local authority before the collapse of Block One in late 1993.

42. Decision to deregister Highlands Tower engineer upheld 29/072005 The Sun
    KUALA LUMPUR: The Board of Appeal of the Board of Engineers of Malaysia Friday upheld a decision by the Board of Engineers to deregister professional engineer Wong Yuen Kean, who was involved in the development of the Highland Towers project.

43. Engineer's sacking upheld on appeal NST 30/07/2005
    KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - The de-registration of the supervising engineer for the Highland Towers project was upheld today by the Appeals Board of the Board of Engineers Malaysia. The three-member panel headed by High Court judge Datuk Abdull Hamid Embong said Wong Yuen Kuen's de-registration took effect from Aug 5, 2004.

44. Council not liable 18/02/2006 THE STAR
    PUTRAJAYA: Local councils cannot be held liable for losses suffered by anyone should a building collapse, the Federal Court has ruled. The court said this when it held that the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) was not liable for losses suffered by 73 residents of two blocks of the Highland Towers condominium who had to evacuate after the collapse of Block One 13 years ago, killing 48 people.

45.  'Bukan tanggungjawab MPAJ' 18/02/2006 BERITA HARIAN
    PUTRAJAYA: Mahkamah Persekutuan semalam memutuskan Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) tidak bertanggungjawab terhadap kerugian yang ditanggung 73 penghuni blok dua dan tiga pangsapuri Highland Towers yang terpaksa mengosongkannya selepas blok satu runtuh 13 tahun lalu mengorbankan 48 nyawa.

46. Highland Towers: MPAJ tidak tanggung kerugian 18/02/2006 Utusan Malaysia
    PUTRAJAYA 17 Feb. - Mahkamah Persekutuan hari ini memutuskan Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) tidak bertanggungjawab atas kerugian ekonomi 73 penghuni Blok 2 dan 3 kondominium Highland Towers, sebelum dan selepas tragedi runtuhan Blok 1 yang mengorbankan 48 nyawa, 13 tahun lalu. Hakim Besar Sabah dan Sarawak, Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong yang mengetuai sidang bersama dua Hakim Mahkamah Persekutuan, Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad dan Datuk Arifin Zakaria membuat keputusan itu ketika membenarkan dengan kos rayuan MPAJ.

47. Court : MPAJ not liable for collapse 18/02/2006 The Malay Mail
    PUTRAJAYA, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- The Federal Court on Friday held that the Ampang Municipal Council (MPAJ) is not liable for losses suffered by 73 residents of two blocks of Highland Towers condominium who had to evacuate after the collapse of block one 13 years ago killing 48 people.

48. 'Ampang Jaya council protected' 18/02/2006 New Straits Times By V. Anbalagan
    PUTRAJAYA, Fri. - After 12 years, two months and six days, the last chapter of the Highland Towers tragedy has closed. It ends on a bitter note for the survivors and former residents: the Federal Court today absolved the local authority - what is now the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) - of liability.

49. Ex-residents saddened 18/02/2006 The Star
    PETALING JAYA: More than 12 years have passed since the collapse of Block One of the Highland Towers and the court processes are as good as over. But the pain of losing their loved ones and their home is still there among the former residents. And yesterday's decision by the Federal Court that the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) was not liable for losses in the tragedy added to their hurt.

50.  'Councils shielded from lawsuits' 18/02/2006 New Straits Times
    THE majority of the Federal Court says local councils are shielded fromlawsuits for certain damages because their main priority should be providing services to the public. Providing these services "has priority over compensation for pure economic loss of some individuals who are clearly better off than the majority residents in the local area", said judge Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad.

51. So sad when the law denies what is just 19/02/2006 New  Straits Times
    ON that quiet Saturday of Dec 11, 1993, now more than 12 years ago, the Highland Towers traumatic saga began. The 12-storey Block 1 collapsed at 1.30pm, caused by a landslide. It killed 48 people.Over 1,000 residents in the two other blocks were made homeless in a moment.

52. TIGA MAHKAMAH TIGA KEPUTUSAN HM 22/02/2006 Oleh C Ramasamy
    MESKIPUN keseluruhannya 73 orang yang mengemukakan saman, namun hanya Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Penghuni dan Pemilik Kondominium Highland Towers, Dr Benjamin George dan seorang penghuni lain hadir di Mahkamah Persekutuan di Putrajaya pada 17 Februari lalu apabila mahkamah tertinggi di tanah air itu memberikan keputusannya - penghakiman terakhir dalam perjuangan perundangan selama hampir 12 tahun mangsa terbabit mencari keadilan. Dan apabila keputusan tiga panel hakim - Hakim Besar Sabah dan Sarawak, Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong dan dua hakim Mahkamah Persekutuan, Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamed serta Datuk Arifin Zakaria - selesai dibacakan Timbalan Pendaftar Mahkamah Persekutuan, Kamarudin Kamsun, jelas wajah Dr Benjamin menggambarkan kekecewaan.

53. A shock for plaintiffs NST 28/02/2006 By V. Thomas
    THE Federal Court's decision that local authorities can fall back on their legal immunity has shocked not only the Highland Towers plaintiffs but also ratepayers. For the affected parties, the 12-year saga looks like a case of justice not only delayed but also denied.

54. Public policy: Onus on Parliament to remove uncertainty 26/03/2006 Sunday Times By Dominic J. Puthucheary and Firoz Hussein
    AFTER a marathon legal battle lasting 12 years, the former residents of the ill-fated Highland Towers were told on Feb 17 that the Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) would not be held liable for its part in the events that caused the tragedy, and for its failure to come up with and implement a promised drainage master plan or to stabilise the hill slope, causing the "post-collapse failure".

55. Residents Of Highland Towers Cannot Seek Damages From MPAJ 18/04/2006 Bernama
    PUTRAJAYA, April 18 (Bernama) -- It is the end of the road for the 73 residents of Blocks Two and Three of the Highland Towers condominium seeking damages from the Ampang Municipal Council (MPAJ) for losses they suffered after the collapse of Block One 13 years ago, killing 48 people.

56. Final bid by Highland Towers residents fails 19/04/2006 The Sun
    PUTRAJAYA: The final attempt by the 82 Highland Towers residents to seek to review the verdict which held that the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) was not liable for the tragedy came to an end yesterday when the Federal Court dismissed their appeal.

57. Federal Court ends claims hope of Highland Towers folks 19/04/2006 The Malay Mail
    PUTRAJAYA, April 18 (Bernama) - It is the end of the road for the 73 residents of Blocks Two and Three of the Highland Towers condominium seeking damages from the Ampang Municipal Council (MPAJ) for losses they suffered after the collapse of Block One 13 years ago, killing 48 people.

58. 73 penghuni 'gagal' dapat pampasan MPAJ 19/04/2006 Utusan Malaysia
    PUTRAJAYA 18 April - Seramai 73 penghuni Blok 2 dan 3 kondominium Highland Towers gagal mendapat pampasan daripada Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) atas kerugian ekonomi berikutan tragedi runtuhan Blok 1 kondominium itu, 13 tahun lalu.

59. Door closes for ex-residents 19/04/2006 New Straits Times
    PUTRAJAYA: It’s the end of the road for 73 former residents of Highland Towers. The Federal Court yesterday dismissed with costs their application to review its decision of Feb 17 absolving the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) of any liability in the collapse of the building in Dec 1993

60. Decision on MPAJ stands 19/04/2006 The Star
    PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court will not review its earlier decision to absolve the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) of liability from the events leading to, as well as following, the collapse of Block One of Highland Towers.
    Yesterday, the Federal Court dismissed an application for leave by 73 residents and owners of units in Blocks Two and Three to review its decision.

61. Mahkamah tolak permohonan BH 19/04/2006
    PUTRAJAYA: Mahkamah Persekutuan semalam menolak permohonan 73 penghuni Highland Towers untuk menyemak semula keputusan bahawa Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) tidak bertanggungjawab terhadap kerugian yang ditanggung mereka selepas terpaksa mengosongkannya apabila blok satu runtuh, 13 tahun lalu. Hakim Datuk Alauddin Mohd Sheriff yang bersidang bersama Datuk Nik Hashim Nik Abdul Rahman dan Datuk S Augustine Paul sebulat suara memutuskan tiada alasan kukuh untuk membolehkan mahkamah menyemak semula keputusan itu.

62. Accountability involves everyone 20/04/2006 The Sun
    THE legal battle by 82 former residents of Highland Towers to hold the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) liable for their losses arising from the collapse of the apartments on Dee 11, 1993 has finally ended but the journey towards a culture of accountability in public affairs has barely begun.

63. The cost of high living NST 05/06/2006
    IN 1993, a landslide triggered by heavy rain caused the collapse of Highland Towers, killing 48 people. Six years later, thousands of residents of Bukit Antarabangsa were forced to evacuate following a landslide. More than three years ago, eight people died when a landslide flattened a bungalow in Taman Hillview. A landslide occurred again on Wednesday in Kampung Pasir, Hulu Klang, leaving four dead. Then there are the minor landslips and mudflows that make roads impassable and clog streams and drains during downpours.

64. 'House owners must establish cause of action' 06/06/2006 The Sun
    PETALING JAYA: Owners of houses which are damaged or destroyed in landslides must establish a cause of action in order to file a suit against the parties allegedly responsible for their losses.

65. Whither accountability? MB 16/06/2006 By Charles Raj
    ON FEB 17, 2006, the Federal Court made a historic judgment. It was one that would change the landscape relating to the accountability and responsibilities of local councils throughout the country. The Court ruled that the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) in Selangor was not liable for the collapse of the Highland Towers condominium that claimed 48 lives in December 1993.

66. Council risking lives of residents NST 14/08/2006 By Datuk Mustapha Mahmud
    I THANK Salleh Buang for his letter "An unending tragedy" (NST, Aug 5) about the Highland Towers tragedy. Despite Highland Towers and the recent landslides at Bukit Antarabangsa, the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) is still approving hill-slope development. A bungalow is being constructed on top of a mound with dozens of patched-up cracks on the retaining wall.

67. Ampang council has not learnt from disasters NST 01/09/2006  By S.B.
    THE Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) has apparently learnt no lessons from the Highland Towers tragedy and other hill-slope disasters in the municipality.

68. Busy life veils painful sorrow MM 11/12/2006 By Meera Murugesan
    THIS day 13 years ago, 48 Malaysians lost their lives in the Highland Towers tragedy. The survivors had to cope with the deaths of spouses, children, parents and some, their entire family. But how does one live through such a tragedy and continue with life?

69. No plans to re-develop MM 12/12/2006  By Masami Mustaza; Mohd Iskandar Ibrahim
    THE Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) has no plans to re-develop the Highland Towers. Public relations officer Norhayati Ahmad said the area will remain untouched and the two blocks still standing will be left as they are.

70. The Highlands tragedy MM 15/12/2006  By Jaime
    DEAR Editor I AGREE with the views express by Badrolhisham Bidin's Dialogue Box - `Rising above the rubble,' on the sequence of events that took place at Highland Towers 13 years ago. I also feel the pain, what more the families who lost their loved ones.

71. 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.

72. Tragedi Highland Towers calitan nestapa negara
    BM 04/02/2007  Oleh Nasron Sira Rahim
    LELAKI itu tergamam melihat apa yang berlaku di hadapannya! Mulutnya ternganga tanpa mampu mengeluarkan sebarang suara. Badannya menggigil ketakutan. Kejadian di hadapan matanya sungguh menggemparkan. Bangunan gah di Taman Hillview, Hulu Klang, Selangor itu tiba-tiba runtuh menyembah bumi.

73. Learn from fatal lessons
    NST 09/03/2007 By Tengku Rozani Putra
    I ADDRESS this appeal to the developers and the authorities in charge of approving and regulating developments on hillslopes. A resident of Taman Hijau, I previously lived in Highland Towers, followed by Taman Zooview. All these areas are surrounded by lush greenery. Why do you not protect these areas?