KUALA LUMPUR: "We do not want another Highland Towers tragedy (to happen) in Bukit Dinding," said Wangsa Maju Section 5 residents.
One resident, Zul Idris, said Bukit Dinding, one of the highest hills in Kuala Lumpur, is very similar to the hill Highland Towers were built on.
"We expect a worse tragedy to happen if the project goes on. These two high-rise condominiums that are expected to start construction at end of the year is just the beginning. The plan is to establish a new township in Bukit Dinding.
"Bukit Dinding is very similar to Highland Towers, there was also water structure under Highland Towers, and it eventually collapsed. If (the project) is allowed to happen, chances are 10 or 20 years from now, we will witness the consequences. It's a time bomb," he told the New Straits Times.
In 1993, Highland Towers, which was constructed on the western base of a steep, sloped hill in Ulu Klang, collapsed from a major landslide caused by heavy rain that burst diversion pipes, and 48 lives were lost.
Today, the representative of Waizuri 1 residents association, Syahrom Jumali, lodged a police report to oppose the development in Bukit Dinding.
This is the fourth report made by the residents to date. The other three were lodged by representatives from Waizuri 2, Lojing Heights 1 and Persatuan Penduduk Muafakat Seksyen 5 last Saturday (Oct 15).
Syahrom said the ultimate aim was to stop all development projects from being carried out in Bukit Dinding.
"All these recent landslides in Bukit Antarabangsa, Setiawangsa, all these were just a few kilometres from Bukit Dinding, so it is an indication that the soil is vulnerable and not suitable for development, let alone for high-rises.
"We hope to stop all development projects in Bukit Dinding. Don't touch Bukit Dinding… this hill is fragile," he said.
Syahrom, who is staying in Waizuri 1, located next to the hill, said it was normal for the area to experience minor landslide after hours of downpour.
He said residents hope that the developer, Nova Pesona Sdn Bhd, would make a new environmental impact assessment (EIA) as the one disclosed was outdated.
"The survey was done in 2014, the report was dated in 2017. How can you rely on that report to develop the land now?"
"We would also want to meet the Mayor and the Federal Territories minister to get clarification on the matter— why was the development order given so easily when Bukit Dinding has been declared a conservation area?" he said.
Since the residents were briefed on the development plan on Sept 15 by the developer, hundreds of complaints have been lodged to DBKL, that had given approval to the project.