News & Articles Sri Petaling residents anxious over hillside development
Sri Petaling residents anxious over hillside development
6 May 2015
"(May 6): Residents at Bandar Baru Sri Petaling are up in arms against a proposed residential development which they fear will cause a landslide.
The piece of land earmarked for the project is on a small hill next to Jalan 7/149k and Jalan 2/149k.
Residents said some of the hill slopes were steep and were more than 45 degrees.
“The hill should be left untouched. The vegetation on it has grown and matured and if left untouched, will help prevent soil erosion,” said resident Ong Han Suan.
Ong, who has lived at the housing area for 15 years, questioned if the construction at the site was wise as even now, mud could be seen being washed down the hill when it rains.
He also said residents received a letter by the developer Premier Triangle Sdn Bhd dated April 16 which informed them of the proposal to build 12 semi-detached homes at the hill.
“Does this small developer have experience building on a slope? Will the authorities monitor the construction daily to check for cracks or fissures at the hill?” Ong asked.
Resident Vincent Khor raised the issue of a ground water tank situated at the top of the hill and asked why it was not included in the plans furnished by the developer.
Khor, who has lived in the area for six years, said he would be fearful once construction begins as it would bring to mind tragic incidents involving past hillside developments.
“If the water tank here leaks due to the construction work, it will take years for the water to accumulate underground. When it does, a landslide can happen,” he cautioned.
Ong said if soil erosion at the hill or leakages at the water tank were not arrested at once, there could be loss of property and life.
“If the hill is just built on and left on its own, it is a recipe for disaster,” Khor said.
Resident Jaspal Singh, who has also lived at the housing area for six years, said construction at the hill meant there would be earth movement and such actions could jeopardise the stability of the soil.
“In my opinion, they shouldn’t build here. It may not be safe. But there is nothing we can do if it has been approved. We can just protest,” he added. – The Malaysian Insider"
The piece of land earmarked for the project is on a small hill next to Jalan 7/149k and Jalan 2/149k.
Residents said some of the hill slopes were steep and were more than 45 degrees.
“The hill should be left untouched. The vegetation on it has grown and matured and if left untouched, will help prevent soil erosion,” said resident Ong Han Suan.
Ong, who has lived at the housing area for 15 years, questioned if the construction at the site was wise as even now, mud could be seen being washed down the hill when it rains.
He also said residents received a letter by the developer Premier Triangle Sdn Bhd dated April 16 which informed them of the proposal to build 12 semi-detached homes at the hill.
“Does this small developer have experience building on a slope? Will the authorities monitor the construction daily to check for cracks or fissures at the hill?” Ong asked.
Resident Vincent Khor raised the issue of a ground water tank situated at the top of the hill and asked why it was not included in the plans furnished by the developer.
Khor, who has lived in the area for six years, said he would be fearful once construction begins as it would bring to mind tragic incidents involving past hillside developments.
“If the water tank here leaks due to the construction work, it will take years for the water to accumulate underground. When it does, a landslide can happen,” he cautioned.
Ong said if soil erosion at the hill or leakages at the water tank were not arrested at once, there could be loss of property and life.
“If the hill is just built on and left on its own, it is a recipe for disaster,” Khor said.
Resident Jaspal Singh, who has also lived at the housing area for six years, said construction at the hill meant there would be earth movement and such actions could jeopardise the stability of the soil.
“In my opinion, they shouldn’t build here. It may not be safe. But there is nothing we can do if it has been approved. We can just protest,” he added. – The Malaysian Insider"
Source: The Edge Markets