KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is considering introducing stricter guidelines for development works on slopes to better safeguard those living near hillsides.
Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud said City Hall would consult relevant technical agencies before finalising the proposal.
“We can no longer allow works on slopes and areas deemed high-risk to be carried out in one go,” he said.
“Such works must be implemented in phases.
“DBKL is looking at issuing the new guidelines soon.”
Fadlun was speaking to reporters after a site visit with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh to a collapsed retaining wall along Jalan Abang Haji Openg near Taman Persekutuan Lembah Kiara in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) yesterday.
The wall, which is part of an ongoing National Landscape Department (JLN) project, gave way following a downpour on Saturday.
It was reported that DBKL issued a stop-work order following the incident to facilitate clean-up operations.
Yeoh said Selangor Public Works Department (JKR) had been roped in to help expedite remedial works.
“Repair works are expected to be completed within two days.
“I have also asked DBKL to set up a command centre on site to coordinate efforts.
“There is a primary school nearby and ensuring pupils’ safety is our top priority,” she said.
In a Facebook post, Yeoh said a third erosion and sediment control pond (ESCP) would be built at the site.
She said the capacity of the second pond would be increased while desilting of the first one would also be carried out.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, in a social media post, said preliminary observations indicated that the high volume of water due to heavy rainfall led to an overflow that breached the bund.
He added that JKR had been instructed to assess the site’s structural integrity and propose mitigation measures.
A 200m geotextile concrete barrier had been installed as a temporary safeguard, he said.
The incident has drawn criticism from TTDI residents as it happened opposite SK Taman Tun Dr Ismail 2.
TTDI Residents Association executive council member Khairudin Rahim said it had exposed shortcomings in planning and execution.
“Despite residents’ earlier objections, all mature trees were removed, leaving the steep hillside exposed with no vegetation to absorb rainfall.
“There is also insufficient drainage and water retention measures, which further worsened the situation,” he said.
Friends of Bukit Kiara vice-president Tan Boon Hua said the incident underscored the need to reassess current hillside development approaches.
“For instance, earthworks should be minimised and carried out in phases, with as many existing trees as possible preserved,” he said.
“The project should not adopt a ‘concrete first’ approach. Instead, alternative construction concepts should be considered.”
The RM6mil JLN upgrading project, which began on July 8, 2024, was estimated to take 18 months to complete but its handover has been delayed.
