Nearly a year after a major retaining wall collapse at Taman United Flats in Kuala Lumpur, residents remain in limbo as the mayor’s six-month deadline for permanent repairs approaches without progress.
Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud gave the assurance regarding repair works in mid-May.
Residents are questioning how much longer they must wait, particularly as frequent downpours renew fears of the slope, which has been stabilised following temporary remedial works, giving way again at the Jalan Sepadu flats.
Resident Pakiam Abraham, 70, said she had not had a good night’s sleep since the retaining wall collapsed.
“Each time it rains, I get anxious of the slope coming down.
“We hear about landslides all the time, especially at this time of year.
“I hope the authorities will take this matter seriously and assure us that the work will be carried out soon,” she said.
Resident, Vivekananthan Segran, 34, said nothing had changed since the mayor’s visit in May.
“We are still living with mud and stagnant water outside our homes,” he said.
“I have four young children, so I am very worried about dengue.
“Since the permanent repair works are delayed, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) should at least clear drains, cut the grass and maintain the area while we wait for the project to start.”
Several vehicles were damaged when a 60m retaining wall collapsed following heavy rain on Nov 24 last year, spilling soil and debris into the grounds of the low-cost flats.
Authorities initially ordered residents of the 52 units in Block C to evacuate after continued soil movement was detected.
Residents returned on Jan 1 after temporary stabilisation works finished and a DBKL-appointed consultant declared the slope safe.
The temporary measures included sheet piles, erosion-control matting and drainage works to control water runoff.
Residents’ concerns resurfaced in May after fresh cracks appeared near the collapse site and rainwater continued to wash mud down the slope.
Fadlun visited the site a day after StarMetro highlighted residents’ concerns on May 14 and confirmed that the ground was stable.
He said DBKL would install additional sheet piles beside the existing drainage system to strengthen the retaining wall.
“For now, DBKL will install additional sheet piles and push for repair works,” he had said.
“The works are expected to be completed within six months.”
When contacted, Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan, who chairs the parliamentary monitoring committee on road works, flood mitigation and slope management, said the final design for permanent slope repairs was ready.
“The quantity surveyor is now working on tender documents.
“Once the documents are finalised, DBKL will advertise the tender in the newspapers.
“The entire process is expected to take about 33 weeks,” he said without mentioning when the project would kick off.
Zahir said the project would include micropiling and rebuilding the affected slope.
“Once that is completed, the area will be backfilled,” he said.
“The roads at the top and bottom of the slope will be reinstated too.”
During a recent visit by StarMetro, the area appeared poorly maintained.
Overgrown weeds surrounded the residential block, while litter and stagnant water collected in nearby open drains.
Muddy puddles pooling on uneven ground outside the flats have raised fears of a mosquito breeding hazard.
Fadlun was contacted for comment but no response had been received at press time.
