KUALA LUMPUR: The sinkhole incident in Jalan Masjid India is not related to the flash floods occurring in Kuala Lumpur.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said it was merely a coincidence that there were several sinkhole incidents due to heavy rain.
She added that the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (City Hall) had conducted a study on soil structure, monitored by the special task force, after the sinkhole incident in Jalan Masjid India.
"For short-term action, the City Hall and other related agencies have also carried out and are continuing an integrity audit of utility assets.
"This is to be carried out by utility companies, starting in the central business district area of Kuala Lumpur," she said during the minister's question time in Dewan Rakyat today.
Dr Zaliha said this in response to Datuk Azman Nasrudin (Perikatan Nasional-Padang Serai) who enquired about the long-term strategy to address the issue of flash floods in urban areas, particularly in Kuala Lumpur, and the increasing concerns regarding sinkholes.
She added that the mapping and underground integrity testing had also been carried out in the central business district area of Kuala Lumpur.
She said repair and replacement work for asset components in deteriorating condition would continue.
"Additionally, soil investigation work to determine the structure of soil layers will use methods such as ground penetrating radar and Mackintosh probe.
"Appropriate geophysical tests will also be conducted to determine the microgravity to detect any void underground and ground settlement monitoring to detect soil movement."
She added that the City Hall would also conduct soil investigations using deep boring measures accompanied by laboratory tests for long-term measures.
"The City Hall will also submit a geotechnical report by a certified civil engineer for high-risk development areas."