Residents want measures taken to strengthen slope

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RESIDENTS of Bandar Puteri 9 in Puchong, are having sleepless nights ever since a landslide in May caused considerable damage to property.

Bandar Puteri 9 Residents’ Association (RA) committee member Paranathan Muniandy said the landslide caused cracks to appear in his house and damaged his garden and fish ponds.

Paranathan said the retaining wall along Jalan 9/2 also collapsed.

“I was admitted to the hospital three times since then due to stress. I have to rush home whenever there is a downpour as I fear for my children’s safety,” he said.

Serious matter: Paranathan (left) showing (from second left) Subramaniam, Kohilan and Chew the stream at the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve.

He added that they were informed by the Minerals and Geoscience Department that there was underground water in the area.

RA vice-chairman Billy Koh said the residential area was built in a former valley that had been levelled.

“Even when it is not raining, we could see water trickling from the slope. We are worried that the water may be seeping underground and weakening the foundation of our houses,” he said.

He said residents had a meeting chaired by Subang Jaya municipal councillor Tan Jo Hann with the developer IOI as well as Syabas, Ikram, Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo and Kinrara assemblyman Teresa Kok.

“We requested IOI to conduct a soil investigation yearly as well as to engage a hydrogeologist.

“Syabas will replace the water pipes to ensure it is strong enough to handle water pressure while IOI proposed to strengthen the slope by inserting soil nails which had been approved by Ikram. They are now in the tender process.

“We are confident that IOI can do a good job but we hope that they can act fast,” Koh said.

Resident Jacob Samuel said the authorities proposed to build a rock buttress to strengthen the slope and allow water to trickle through.

Citing The Star’s report Landslide Alert yesterday, he said there should be an escape route in case of emergency.

“We only have one exit now after five houses built near the slope,” he said.

Selangor Gerakan chairman Senator A. Kohilan Pillay said he would bring the matter to MPSJ’s attention and try to get the Drainage and Irrigation Department and other agencies involved to come up with a solution.

“I hope we can find a permanent solution, not just temporary patching up measures,” he said after visiting the site of the landslide.

Also at the press conference were his secretary S. Devanathan, Puchong MIC Youth chief S. Subramaniam and Jimmy Chew, special officer to Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister.