MBPJ now conducting soil investigation, prioritising site repairs
A retaining wall that collapsed at the Astaka field in Section 52 was built without a prior land study or suitability assessment, says Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).
The structural failure occurred just behind the bungalows of Lorong Utara in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Residents and engineering experts had previously warned that the structure was “doomed to collapse” due to poor design and water pressure build-up.
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MBPJ Engineering Department deputy director Ahmad Roslan Hairudin said the project, which started two years ago, was rushed to satisfy local demands.
“The residents asked for a wall to be built and there was an urgency to carry out this project,” he said.
“When the collapse happened, we acknowledged that we did not actually study the land or the suitability for building a wall there before construction.”
Despite the site’s precarious nature, with houses situated directly atop the slope, MBPJ opted for a segmental retaining wall built using interlocking concrete blocks.
“Because we wanted to be quick, that was the only option we had.
“It is actually not suitable for that site.
“We will now undertake repairs more professionally, as well as conduct a new soil investigation and suitability study,” said Ahmad Roslan, adding that heavy water runoff from the slope remained a primary concern.
Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Zahri Samingon confirmed that MBPJ’s Engineering Department had already met with affected residents to address safety concerns.
“I will meet with my staff from the Engineering Department to discuss the plan moving forward,” he said after chairing the city council’s full board meeting yesterday at MBPJ’s headquarters in Jalan Yong Shook Lin.
As of yesterday, workers were seen installing zinc barriers to cordon off the site.
StarMetro first reported on the wall’s collapse on Feb 24.
