Puchong landslide victims lose their cool

Residents of Taman Wawasan in Puchong expressed anger as they confronted Kinrara state assemblyman Ng Sze Han about compensation and the lack of a clear timeline for repair work after a landslide damaged four cars and forced the evacuation of nine houses.

The residents are demanding financial aid from government agencies and are urging for the repair work to be expedited before the start of the school session on Jan 2.

Furthermore, they are seeking assistance from authorities to remove cars that are still parked in their porches, as they are currently relying on borrowed vehicles from friends and family members.

One resident, who has already lost two cars, expressed concern about the potential loss of another two if another incident were to occur.

Ng emphasized that the government’s main focus is on ensuring the safety of the houses and repairing the access road so that residents can move back in. After the mitigation work is completed, the Subang Jaya City Council’s (MBSJ) building department will evaluate the safety of the structures.

“We will discuss with the Fire and Rescue Department, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), and MBSJ regarding the removal of cars from the houses,” he added.

State infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Izham Hashim, who was also present, indicated that initial reports suggest the landslide may have been caused by cracks in a monsoon drain. These cracks led to water flowing towards the slope, saturating it and causing it to collapse.

He noted that the monsoon drain built by the developer along the slope caused water to flow downwards when cracks occurred and mentioned that the cracks could have been caused by the roots of large trees nearby.

Izham also revealed that a consultant will be appointed through the MBSJ to investigate and study the matter. Additionally, monsoon drains will be constructed to prevent further flood incidents in the area.

The incident occurred on Dec 16, when a landslide in Jalan Wawasan 3/9, Pusat Bandar Puchong, resulted in damage to four cars and the evacuation of 29 residents from nine houses.