Residents living in fear

What say you on the issue below?

KUALA LUMPUR: Residents of Taman Jasa Utama are upset that construction work at the Lakeview Apartment at Taman Jasa Pewira is still in progress.

“We now live in fear due to the landslide on Saturday, with construction still going on as usual, especially near the site of the landslide,’’ said resident Tan Siew Bee, 49.

Disaster waiting to happen: Another drain is being dug just a few metres away from where the landslide happened at Taman Jasa Utama on Saturday.

A construction worker at the condominium development said a drain was being built where the landslide occurred.

When The Star checked the scene of the landslide yesterday, workers were seen digging another drain just a few metres away from the landslide spot.

Residents also revealed that the spot was a reclaimed hill slope.

“Before construction began eight months ago, the site was a rubber estate and the vacant land was flat with at least 10 metres before the natural hill slope,” said resident Tharmalingam Villiam, 49.

“It may be that the piled soil making the new slope could not hold, and all it took was a heavy rain to cause the landslide,” he added.

Tharmalingam’s neighbour Mohd Yusof Hussain, 52, said the only measure they have seen taken was the placing of huge plastic sheets over the spot.

“We are worried as it is the rainy season.

“And with workers digging a similar drain just beside the landslide, anything can happen,” added Mohd Yusof.

On Monday, the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) issued a report regarding the landslide, while the Public Works Department has carried out works to stabilise the hill slope.

The landslide occurred on Saturday evening near Block B, currently under construction and perched on a slope.

Block A is completed, with about 47 out of over 300 units being occupied so far.

The incident caused mud and soil to flow into a number of houses at Jalan Jasa Utama 5/5, which directly faces the scene of the landslide.