MPAJ contractors clearing the remaining debris from the base of the slope at Mutiara Court Apartment in Taman Bukit Permai Tuesday morning. — Photos: LOW BOON TAT/The Star
THE slope at Mutiara Court Apartment in Taman Bukit Permai will be continuously monitored by Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ), following two rockfalls on Monday morning that damaged several vehicles at its carpark.
MPAJ councillor for Zone 21 R. Moganraj said MPAJ’s slope-engineering team has been closely observing the area since the incident.
“The first rockfall was smaller, followed by a larger one,” he told StarMetro, adding that MPAJ received the alert and their team reached the site at about 8.30am.
He said a total of six vehicles were damaged by the falling rocks.
While most owners managed to move their cars after the initial fall, one vehicle was trapped under the debris and was only removed yesterday.
Lorries, rock breakers, and excavators were on site to carry out cleanup works.
Checks by StarMetro showed the heavy machinery removing debris from the apartment’s carpark, with hydraulic breakers used to break boulders into smaller pieces for hauling away.
“We have advised residents not to park near the affected section as a precaution,” Moganraj said, adding that the site was now stable.
He said MPAJ would next carry out scaling work to remove loose rocks from the surface before installing permanent reinforcements.
“They will start scaling within the next few days once the contractor’s technical team is ready.”
One of the damaged vehicles that was removed from the site of the rockfall.
Moganraj said the same slope showed minor movement last year, prompting the council to instal wire-mesh netting.
“MPAJ’s slope unit typically checks the area every six months or whenever residents file a complaint,” he said.
Mutiara Court Joint Management Body (JMB) chairman Lai Chow Kui praised the swift response from authorities, noting that JMB contacted MPAJ about the rockfall at 8.15am.
“They came quickly with the police, fire department and tow trucks,” he said.
Lai confirmed that the carpark would remain closed until MPAJ deemed it safe to reopen.
He added that there were no injuries or impact to the residential blocks, and residents were being kept updated.
“Residents are not alarmed or panicked; they understand the situation.
“We keep them updated through our resident chat groups,” said Lai, adding that MPAJ has carried out maintenance work about two months ago.
He also said small stones from a slope adjacent to the apartment’s compound had fallen a few days before the rockfall.
In a statement, MPAJ said it has placed barriers around the affected area as a safety measure and is studying further action to prevent a recurrence.
