Homeowners doubt slope stability, await permanent solutions
Lingering safety fears are keeping some Block C residents of Taman United flats in Jalan Sepadu 7, Kuala Lumpur, away from their homes, even after temporary stabilisation works were carried out on the slope behind their units.
Ground-floor resident Vivekananthan Segran, 34, said he has continued to live in his mother-in-law’s home in Kepong as he was not confident the flats’ area was safe for his young children.
“I have four children, all under the age of eight.
“I am not moving back until I am confident the place is completely safe,” he said.
His neighbour Pakiam Abraham, 70, said she remained on edge and kept an emergency bag packed in case she needed to leave at short notice.
“It looks like some work has been completed, but two weeks ago, a pipe placed to channel water from the slope collapsed.
“They have covered the site with a plastic sheet.
“It would be good if someone from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) could keep us updated,” she said.
On Nov 24 last year, a 60m stretch of a retention wall collapsed at about 10.30am, affecting residents of Block C along Jalan Sepadu 7 and forcing their evacuation from 52 units.
While residents were allowed to return on Jan 1, occupants of two affected landed properties were advised to stay away until further notice.
Although DBKL-appointed contractors had completed interim works and Block C occupants were given the green light to return at the start of the year, many held back because of these persistent safety concerns.
On Jan 1, following a geotechnical assessment by a DBKL-appointed consultant, the slope was declared stable and safe.
Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan, who chairs the parliamentary monitoring committee on road works, flood mitigation and slope management, said the measures were temporary.
He said the consultant was required to propose a permanent solution by the end of February.
“I was told that while the temporary measures are in place, further studies are needed to determine the most suitable long-term solution to prevent a recurrence,” said Zahir.
He said these temporary works aimed to strengthen the slope, control water flow and monitor ground movement.
The works, he said, included installing sheet piles to prevent soil movement, laying erosion-control mats and hydroseeding to encourage vegetation growth.
Zahir explained that the synthetic mat helped hold soil in place, reduced erosion from rainwater runoff and provided a base for plants to take root, while growing vegetation would further strengthen the slope over time.
A drainage system, including berm and subsoil drains, was also installed to channel water safely into the main network.
“Water is one of the main causes of slope failure.
“It increases the weight of the soil and builds up pressure.
“Proper drainage helps reduce accumulation and lowers the risk of future landslides,” said Zahir.
He added that an inclinometer had been installed within the slope to monitor ground movement and provide early warning of any instability.
