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Don't delay probe into cause
New Straits times 16/06/2006
IT seems the excitement about the Hulu Klang landslide and its aftermath is
over.
What remains is the frustration and desperation of the Taman Zooview
residents, me included, of being forgotten, and so quickly too.
Those whose houses were directly affected have to find a new place to stay,
incurring additional costs and hardship.
Those who have housing loans outstanding will have to continue paying them
for a house that’s condemned.
The rest of us, indirectly affected — meaning our houses escaped the
landslide but are not entirely safe from future landslides due to our
proximity — will have sleepless nights whenever it rains heavily. At this
time, we can’t sell our houses nor rent it out without incurring substantial
losses.
So we are stuck.
But is it our fault? The Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya said the drainage
and sewerage systems in Taman Zooview were not built to specifications and
may have been a cause of the landslide.
Strange that the MPAJ, being a Sirim-certified ISO town council and guardian
of public interest on such matters, is saying this now, 30 years after the
township was built.
And if they are right, why didn’t the slope come down earlier?
And why didn’t they rectify the drainage and sewerage system earlier in the
interest of public safety?
And it is not as if the residents have been inactive. We had written to the
MPAJ, State Government, Anti-Corruption Agency and the media on soil erosion
that had occurred on that very slope in November 2004. Eighteen months ago!
In fact, the whole entourage led by the then state executtive council member
in charge of local authorities, MPAJ and representatives from the Department
of Environment and state Geological Department actually conducted a site
visit in December 2004.
We had even complained about the developer’s disregard for proper procedures
and what has the MPAJ done?
Ironically, the MPAJ has been selected as one of the committee members set
up by the Housing Ministry to investigate the causes of the
andslide.
To the guardian of public interest, what have you done? What is happening to
the investigations that are supposed to take place?
Khaw Soon Hoe, Ampang |
