RESIDENTS of the five-storey low-cost flats in Section 10, Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur, who were hit by a landslide on Monday night, were relieved that the authorities had taken a swift decision to relocate them to temporary flats in Air Panas. 

A policeman helping a resident retrieve belongings from one of the flats

Haddi ... ‘the residents are still unsure about their future.

City Hall announced yesterday that all affected residents of the 160 units of Blocks B3, B4, B5 and B6 would possibly be moved to the nearby Seri Semarak PPR in Air Panas by the weekend. 

So far, 138 families have registered with the Welfare Services Department at a booth set up in the area. Each family received RM300 from the department. 

During the landslide that occurred at 7.10pm, residents saw trees sinking and the earth bordering the back of Blocks B4 and B5 sliding about 50m down the slope. 

The Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (Duke) project site is about 30m from the landslide area. 

Hazlina Mustapha, 40, who lives in Block B5, said she was happy with the arrangements for accommodation. 

“It is better than staying here (the surau that has been turned into a temporary relief centre for the affected residents since the Monday disaster). We need a more comfortable place to celebrate Hari Raya. 

Residents paying attention during a briefing at the surau.

“When somebody gives you something, you just have to accept it. The most important thing is to move out fast as I need to settle down again so that my children can go to school as usual,” said the SK Wangsa Maju Section 2 teacher. 

Ng ... ‘my immediate concern is accommodations for my family’

Another resident Hassan Abu Talib, 43, who lives in Block B3, said he was fine with the relocation as his family needed a place to settle down. 

“That’s okay as long as there is a more permanent place before Hari Raya. My children are also attending school near the PPR and my wife can help send them to school. 

“We were informed that this is just a temporary home until remedial works are completed,” he said. 

Before the announcement was made, Ng Peng Soon, 55, who lives with four other family members in Block B4, said his immediate concern was their accommodation. 

“We have to get back to our normal life. We have been living here for 19 years.  

“I hope the Federal Territories Ministry and relevant authorities make sure the slope is cemented and strengthened as soon as possible,” he said. 

Haddi Ibrahim, 22, said residents were still unsure about their future, especially whether the area was safe. 

“We have to wait for the results of the findings to see if it will be safe to come back to stay here,” he said. 

A police line prevents entry into the Section 10 Wangsa Maju flats which were evacuated after the landslide on Monday.

Many residents were seen retrieving some of their belongings from their homes. The police gave them about 5 minutes to do so because of fears that extra pressure could have been placed on the landslide area. 

Most of the furniture, electrical appliances and large items were still left in the homes.