Council spends RM30mil to maintain slopes

THE Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) has spent RM30mil since last year in its efforts to stabilise slopes and prevent incidences of erosion.

MPAJ president Abdul Hamid Hussain said every year, RM2.5mil was spent on routine maintenance of slopes including cutting trees and clearing clogged drains.

“There are 352 slopes that are being monitored in the municipality,” said Abdul Hamid.

He said the council expected to finish remedial works in a month, after a slope erosion occurred near Mutiara Court Apartment in Taman Bukit Permai on Nov 19.

“There was no proper drainage system at the top of the slope and this resulted in the slope failure.

“A proper drainage system could not be built previously, due to soft soil,” he said at a press conference after chairing the November full board meeting.

When asked why action was not taken earlier, Abdul Hamid clarified that MPAJ had spent RM2mil to carry out slope stabilisation works there including installing a net.

“However, the net broke in the erosion due to rocks and water making the soil heavy.

“If the netting was not installed, the damage would have been more severe and could have damaged up to seven cars,” he said.

He said as a safety measure, MPAJ would spray concrete at the top of the slope to prevent future incidents of erosion.

“This will help prevent water from seeping into the ground or causing the soil to loosen and slip,” he said.

He added that MPAJ would fork out RM198,000 for both remedial works and to clean up the site.

The cars, Abdul Hamid said, were not parked in designated bays due to the lack of parking space at the apartments.

“We have advised residents not to park near the slope,” he said.

When asked if residents have claimed for damages resulting from the incident, Abdul Hamid said no one had come filed a claim.

“The residents can still submit their claims and our insurers will look into it,” he said.

On another matter, Abdul Hamid said the contractor for a food court to be built in Pandan Indah, had been terminated because of poor performance.

“The contractor got the contract through an open tender and passed the necessary procedures.

“However, they were slow and was supposed to complete the project last month but had only finished 30% of the work,” he said.

Abdul Hamid said the project would be re-tendered after determining what work the previous contractor had done.

“We expect the project to resume in February next year,” he said.

The hawkers who are expected to occupy lots at the food court were currently trading at a land in Pandan Indah.

Abdul Hamid said the two-storey project, costing RM2.7mil, would have 16 stalls.