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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.
Dr Benjamin George, chairman of the Highland Towers Owners and Residents
Committee, said the council should accept the High Court's decision on the
matter and negotiate a settlement with the victims out-of-court.
On Aug 11, 2000, the High Court ruled that MPAJ and six other defendants had
contributed to the landslide that caused the collapse of Block One of the
condominium, killing 48 people.
High Court judge Datuk James Foong apportioned the local authority with 15
per cent liability, after 73 residents of Blocks Two and Three sued for
between RM31 million and RM35 million to repair the two remaining blocks.
(After Block One's collapse, the two other blocks were evacuated and
declared unsafe for occupation.)
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