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Highland Towers Collapse
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1998

1. Engineer of Highland Towers to face charges NST 05/05/1998 By Patvinder Singh
   KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - More than four years after the Highland Towers tragedy that killed 48 people on Dec 11, 1993, the Board of Engineers Malaysia has brought charges against the consultant engineer of the condominium project. A top BEM official said today a tentative date had been set for hearing where engineer Wong Yuen Kean would be judged by his peers on matters relating to ethics and professionalism.

2. Hearing of Highland Towers suit starts Monday NST 05/08/1998  By Satwant Singh
   KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. - The High Court has set 18 days, starting next Monday to hear a suit by 73 people, who are seeking RM50 million in damages from the developer of Highland Towers and nine others, for negligence leading to the collapse of a block and subsequent abandonment of two remaining blocks. The 73 people, who are either owners or occupiers of the two blocks, have named the owner and developer of the land occupying Highland Towers, Highland Properties Sdn Bhd as the defendants.

3. Bapa, anak cerita pangsapuri runtuh BH 11/08/1998
   KUALA LUMPUR, Isnin - Mahkamah Tinggi di sini yang memulakan perbicaraan kes saman 73 pemilik blok dua dan tiga pangsapuri Highland Towers, hari ini mendengar keterangan dua beranak berhubung tragedi blok satu pangsapuri itu, yang runtuh lima tahun lalu. Dalam keterangannya, Leela George, berkata dia mendengar bunyi kuat seperti `dentuman logam' jam 1.30 tengah hari dari arah belakang blok satu pada hari kejadian.

4. Penghuni tuntut rugi RM35j HM 11/08/1998
   KUALA LUMPUR: Hampir lima tahun setelah tragedi Highland Towers yang meragut 48 nyawa, sekumpulan 73 bekas penghuni dan pemilik dua blok kondominium berkenaan mengemukakan saman di mahkamah semalam terhadap pemaju dan sembilan lain bagi kerugian yang dialami antara RM31 juta hingga RM35 juta. Kumpulan itu menyaman Highland Properties Sdn Bhd, pelukis pelan Wong Tin Sang, jurutera Wong Yuen Kean, Majlis Perbandaran Ampang (MPAJ), Arab- Malaysian Finance Berhad, Tropic Developments Sdn Bhd dan Metroplux Sdn Bhd.

5. RM50m suit by owners of Highland Towers opens NST 11/08/1998  By Satwant Singh
   KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - The High Court today began the hearing of a suit by 73 owners and residents of Blocks Two and Three of the Highland Towers, more than four years after the tragedy in which Block One collapsed and resulted in 48 deaths. The plaintiffs are seeking seeking RM50 million in damages from the developer and nine others. Two witnesses testified that land clearing was done on the hill slope behind the apartments in early 1992 and muddy water normally flowed down to the property after heavy rain.

6. Highland Towers: Doktor nyaris terkena batu besar BH 12/08/1998
   KUALA LUMPUR, Selasa - Keputusan seorang doktor untuk singgah ke rumah anak sahabatnya, menyelamatkan dia daripada menjadi mangsa runtuhan blok satu pangsapuri Highland Towers, Hulu Klang yang meragut 48 nyawa lima tahun lalu. Dr Hooi Chan Ping yang tinggal di tingkat empat blok berkenaan berkata, selepas seminit berbual dengan sahabatnya yang dikenali Puan Abraham, dia terdengar bunyi gegaran dan tiba-tiba batu besar bergolek ke arahnya.

7. Doktor nampak jalan terbonjol retak HM 12/08/1998
   KUALA LUMPUR: Seorang doktor memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi di sini, semalam bagaimana dia berada di tempat kejadian cuma lima minit sebelum Kondominum Highland Towers runtuh dengan mengorbankan 48 nyawa. Dr Hui Chan Peng, yang tinggal selama 14 tahun di tingkat empat Blok A kondominium 12 tingkat itu berkata, dia kembali dari kerja pada jam 1.30 petang, lima minit sebelum tragedi itu berlaku.

8. `Building swayed three or four times before collapsing'  NST 12/08/1998
   KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. - Block One of the Highland Towers swayed three or four times before it tilted and collapsed, the High Court heard today. Housewife Leela George, 38, who saw the incident from the penthouse of Block Two, said she panicked and gathered her family members and rushed to the ground floor, fearing the same might happen to their block.

9. Rakyat Amerika kemuka gambar BH 13/08/1998
   KUALA LUMPUR, Rabu - Seorang rakyat Amerika Syarikat yang melihat blok satu pangsapuri Highland Towers runtuh, mengemukakan rentetan gambar di Mahkamah Tinggi menunjukkan keadaan bangunan itu ketika runtuh. Bruce Aaron Mitchell, bekas juruterbang Tentera Marin Amerika yang mengambil gambar itu dari tingkap bilik pangsapuri kawannya di blok tiga, mengemukakan lapan keping gambar untuk dijadikan bukti dalam kes saman terhadap 10 pihak.

10. Bekas juruterbang rakam tragedi Highland Towers HM 13/08/1998 KUALA LUMPUR: Bekas juruterbang tentera laut Amerika Syarikat memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi di sini semalam dia sempat mengambil gambar tragedi Highland Towers yang mengorbankan 48 nyawa. Bruce Erin Mitchell,49, dari Florida, berkata dia mengambil lapan gambar tanah runtuh dan runtuhan kondominium Blok A di saat-saat tragedi itu dari Blok C.

11. Ex-US naval pilot tells court of photos taken of collapse NST 13/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. - A former United States naval pilot told the High Court today that he managed to take pictures of the Highland Towers condominium collapse, which claimed 48 lives, almost five years ago. Bruce Erin Mitchell,49, from Florida, said he took eight pictures of the landslide and the collapsed Block One condominium in the dramatic moments of the tragedy from his adjacent Block Three.

12. Kondo terus dirompak HM 14/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR: Bekas penghuni kondominium Highland Towers memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi, di sini, semalam bahawa rompakan terus berlaku di kedua- dua bangunan yang dikosongkan walaupun ia dikawal oleh tentera. Pengurus Projek Micheal Patrick Rickard, penghuni di Blok Tiga, berkata rompakan itu bermula ketika operasi menyelamat mangsa yang pada masa itu dipercayai masih hidup dan terperangkap di bawah runtuhan bangunan Blok Satu yang runtuh pada 11 Disember, 1993.

13. Witness: Looting continued at Highland Towers despite security NST 14/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - A project manager told the High Court today that the security provided to Blocks Two and Three of the Highland Towers after the collapse of Block One was ineffective. Michael Patrick Rickard, 51, said looting continued even as the police, who had initially been called to provide security to the two blocks after the tragedy, remained.

14. Hakim lawat tapak runtuhan BH 15/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR, Jumaat - Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi, Datuk James Foong, yang mendengar kes saman 73 pemilik pangsapuri Highland Towers, hari ini melawat kawasan pangsapuri itu dan bukit yang terletak di belakang kawasan itu. Foong bersama lebih 70 orang yang terbabit di dalam kes itu, mengambil sehari suntuk untuk melihat lebih dekat keadaan blok dua dan tiga serta bekas tapak blok satu.

15. Hakim, peguam lawat tempat tragedi HM 15/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR: Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi, Datuk James Foong dan mereka yang terbabit dalam perbicaraan kes kondominium Highland Towers runtuh hampir lima tahun lalu, mengorbankan 48 orang melawat tempat kejadian itu di Jalan Hulu Klang, Ampang dekat sini, semalam. Hakim Foong berkata, beliau memilih untuk melihat sendiri tempat kejadian itu dan lereng bukit di belakang Blok A yang tumbang pada 11 Disember 1993 daripada bergantung kepada gambar-gambar yang diambil oleh beberapa pihak.

16. Highland Towers case: Court visits site NST 15/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - The High Court, hearing a RM50 million negligence suit by 73 owners and occupiers of Blocks Two and Three of Highland Towers, today visited the site of the apartments and neighbouring lots. Judge Datuk James Foong led a group of about 70 people comprising the counsel for plaintiffs and the 10 defendants, their respective officials, consultants and experts and members of the Press, to the site.

17. Penghuni terpaksa kosongkan pangsapuri BH 18/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR, Isnin - Mahkamah Tinggi di sini hari ini diberitahu, penghuni blok dua dan tiga pangsapuri Highland Towers tidak mempunyai pilihan selain mengosongkan pangsapuri berkenaan kerana takut berikutan keadaan bangunan itu tidak kukuh. Michael Patrick Rickard berkata, walaupun beliau tidak melihat sebarang arahan bertulis supaya mengosongkan pangsapuri itu, kebanyakan penghuni di blok berkenaan juga keberatan untuk tinggal di situ kerana bekalan air dan elektrik terputus selepas blok satu runtuh.

18. `Residents had no choice but to move out' NST 18/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - The residents of Blocks Two and Three of Highland Towers would have vacated their apartments after the collapse of Block One even if they had not been ordered to do so, an engineer told the High Court today. Michael Patrick Rickard, who stayed in Block Three prior to the incident, said the residents had no choice but to move out since they were in constant fear of their safety.

19. Tempat letak kereta dipenuhi lumpur BH 19/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR, Selasa - Mahkamah Tinggi di sini hari ini diberitahu, kawasan letak kereta blok dua dan tiga pangsapuri Highland Towers dipenuhi tanah lumpur selepas lereng bukit di belakang pangsapuri itu dibersihkan. Dr Kok May Leng yang tinggal di blok tiga, berkata kejadian banjir lumpur itu berlaku selepas hujan di kawasan itu.

20. Saliran tak sempurna HM 19/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR: Seorang doktor memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi, di sini, semalam bahawa dia tidak pernah melihat satu sistem peparitan yang sempurna di lereng bukit di belakang Blok Satu Kondominium Highland Towers yang runtuh hampir lima tahun lalu hingga meragut 48 nyawa. Dr Kok Mei Ling berkata, dia sering berjalan di lereng bukit di belakang Blok Satu yang runtuh itu sejak dia menjadi penghuni di Blok Tiga pada 1983.

21. Witness `heard' rumbling after hill was cleared NST 19/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. - A former Highland Towers resident told the High Court today she heard rumbling sounds "louder than thunder" one night in 1992 after a hill slope near the towers was cleared of vegetation. Dr Kok May Leng said the following morning she noticed that a portion of the slope "had fallen down like a little landslip".

22. Video tragedi jadi rujukan HM 20/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR: Klip video yang diambil beberapa hari selepas Blok Satu Kondominium Highland Towers tumbang hampir lima tahun lalu dan mengorbankan 48 orang ditayangkan di Mahkamah Tinggi, di sini, semalam. Hakim Datuk James Foong menyaksikan pita video itu yang dirakamkan oleh wakil Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) pada 14 Disember, 1993, ditayangkan di mahkamah terbuka untuk lebih kurang 25 minit, sebelum menerimanya sebagai barang kes.

23. Court admits video as evidence NST 20/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. - A videotape recording made a few days after Block One of the Highland Towers collapsed almost five years ago was shown in the High Court today. Judge Datuk James Foong watched the video taped by Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) representatives on Dec 14, 1993 for about 25 minutes before admitting it as a defence exhibit.

24. Keterangan pakar macam kuliah BH 21/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR, Khamis - Keterangan seorang pakar tanah runtuh menggunakan istilah-istilah teknikal membingungkan hakim dan mereka yang hadir di perbicaraan kes saman Highland Towers di mahkamah terbuka di sini, hari ini. Hakim Datuk James Foong mengulas yang keterangan Dr Alan George Weeks macam `kuliah pada zaman universitinya'.

25. Hakim tak faham HM 21/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR: Keterangan seorang pakar tanah runtuh menggunakan istilah teknikal membingungkan hakim dan mereka yang hadir di perbicaraan saman Highland Towers di mahkamah terbuka di sini, semalam. Hakim perbicaraan Datuk James Foong mengulas yang keterangan Dr Alan George Weeks macam "kuliah semasa zaman universitinya".

26. Engineer gives technical details in RM50m suit NST 21/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - The High Court hearing a RM50 million suit by 73 residents and owners of Blocks Two and Three of Highland Towers against its developer and nine others, today heard various concepts relating to the geology and soil conditions of a hill slope. Consultant geotechnical engineer, Dr Alan Weeks who holds a PhD in Civil Engineering, explained in detail ground water movement, slope stability and landslides.

27. Pergerakan bawah tanah punca pangsapuri runtuh BH 22/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR, Jumaat - Mahkamah Tinggi hari ini diberitahu bahawa blok satu pangsapuri Highland Towers runtuh hasil daripada pergerakan bawah tanah yang bermula dari kawasan runtuhan lereng bukit milik Arab-Malaysian Finance Bhd (AMFB) di belakang pangsapuri itu. Jurutera Perunding Geoteknikal, Dr Alan George Weeks, berkata beliau membuat kesimpulan itu berdasarkan kepada kajian satu kesan runtuhan di kawasan lereng bukit itu.

28. Laporan MPAJ tidak betul HM 22/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR: Mahkamah Tinggi di sini, semalam diberitahu bahawa hasil siasatan Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) terhadap tragedi Highland Towers yang mengorbankan 48 nyawa lima tahun lalu adalah silap dan tidak betul. Dr Alan George Weeks, pakar penyelidik tanah runtuh berkata, apa yang menyebabkan Blok A tumbang pada 11 Disember, 1993 adalah keruntuhan besar dan bukan beberapa siri keruntuhan seperti mengikut andaian oleh pakar MPAJ, Prof Noel Edward Simons.

29. Buried danger? MM 22/08/1998 By Badrolhisham Bidin
    HIGHLAND TOWERS, where 48 residents died tragically in December 1993 when Block 1 collapsed, have been illegally converted into a storage yard for repossessed lorries. And to discourage people from nosing around the area, the businessman who has `taken possession' of the land has erected a signboard (pictured above) warning trespassers that explosives have been planted in the vicinity.

30. Soil expert: Landslide started from nearby hilltop NST 22/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - A soil expert told the High Court today the landslide which led to the collapse of Block One of Highland Towers in 1993 started from the top of a nearby hill. The landslide progressed downward, picked up momentum and "demolished" Block One, Dr Alan George Weeks said, adding that a "scar" on the hill side showed the slide had started from the top.

31. Mindef: No such thing! SUM 23/08/1998 By Badrolhisham Bidin
    THERE are NO explosives buried at the Highland Towers site as far as the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) is concerned. A Mindef spokesperson yesterday said residents, who are worried about the "explosive" warning on a signboard erected at the entrance of the off- limit site in Jalan Ulu Kelang, should lodge a police report.

32. Sistem saliran punca blok A pangsapuri runtuh HM 25/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR: Jurutera Perunding Geoteknikal mengenal pasti sistem saliran tidak sempurna di kawasan pangsapuri mewah di Hulu Klang adalah faktor menyumbang kepada berlaku runtuhan blok A pangsapuri di situ lima tahun lalu. Jurutera berkenaan, Dr Alan George Weeks yang juga saksi kesembilan pada perbicaraan kes saman yang dikemukakan 73 pemilik pangsapuri Highland Towers terhadap pemaju kondominium itun Highland Properties Sdn Bhd dan sembilan pihak lain berhubung tragedi itu dalam hujahnya mendapati faktor utama kejadian disebabkan sistem perparitan yang tidak dikendalikan dengan sistematik.

33. Scare tactic backfires MM 25/08/1998 By Badrolhisham Bidin
    A BUSINESSMAN has landed in trouble with the law for scaring neighbouring residents into thinking that explosives have been planted in Highland Towers, and illegally using the premises to store repossessed heavy vehicles. Police are investigating while the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council has given the businessman, Abdul Maroof Aluldin, two weeks to get out, failing which they will confiscate his 10 vehicles worth about RM500,000.

34. Runtuh dari bawah kondo HM 26/08/1998 By Norliza Abdullah
    KUALA LUMPUR: Pihak defendan kes saman yang dikemukakan oleh 73 pemilik pangsapuri Highland Towers menyangkal dakwaan saksi berhubung kejadian tanah runtuh sama ada bermula dari bahagian bawah atau atas bukit berhampiran. Defendan mendakwa tanah runtuh bermula di bahagian bawah pangsapuri berkenaan hingga menyebabkan runtuhan lebih besar dan membawa kepada kemusnahan blok pertama.

35. No peace for the dead MM 26/08/1998
    VANDALS and thieves left nothing behind when they looted Blocks 2 and 3 of Highland Towers, not even the memorial plaque erected as a mark of respect to the 48 residents who died in the 1993 tragedy. The plaque was unveiled by Datuk Paduka Marina Mahathir, on behalf of her mother, Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali, a year after.

36. Landslide was caused by water, says engineer NST 26/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. - A consultant geotechnical engineer told the High Court today that the landslide in December 1993 behind Highland Towers was caused by water. Dr Alan Weeks said the amount of water did not have to be excessive for the landslide to occur.

37. Siasatan tak lengkap HM 27/08/1998 By Rozimi Hashim
    KUALA LUMPUR: Pasukan penyiasat Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) tidak mempunyai pengalaman menyiasat kejadian tanah runtuh menyebabkan siasatan berhubung tragedi Highland Towers yang runtuh lima tahun lalu, tidak menyeluruh. Jurutera Geoteknikal, Dr Alan George Weeks, memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi di sini, semalam, bahawa beliau tidak mempertikaikan kecekapan pasukan berkenaan tetapi mereka mungkin tidak pernah menyiasat kejadian tanah runtuh sebelum kejadian itu.

38. Expert: Tests by MPAJ on tragedy site were insufficient NST 27/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. - A landslide research expert today told the High Court here that the tests carried out by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council team on the site of the Highland Towers, which collapsed almost five years ago and claimed 48 lives, were insufficient. Dr Alan George Weeks, who is also a geotechnical engineer, said he came to the conclusion because the team, which comprised qualified engineers, did not carry out certain tests while investigating how the landslide occurred.

39. Proses penebangan punca pengaliran air HM 28/08/1998 By Norliza Abdullah
    KUALA LUMPUR: Kerja pembersihan di kawasan lereng bukit dikenal pasti sebagai punca pengaliran air terus dari kawasan berkenaan ke blok pertama Highland Towers, Hulu Klang, di sini, dalam tragedi pangsapuri mewah pada 1993. Proses pembersihan dengan menebang pokok membabitkan sebahagian kawasan di situ menyebabkan ia membentuk sasaran saliran dari atas bukit terus ke kawasan berhampiran dan pangsapuri berkenaan.

40. Expert: Clearance work contributed to collapse NST 28/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - The High Court here today was told that clearance works for the Bukit Antarabangsa development had affected the catchment area above the Highland Towers condominium which subsequently contributed to the collapse of Block One about five years ago and claimed 48 lives. Dr Alan George Weeks, a geotechnical engineer, said MBf Property Services Sdn Bhd, which carried out the works on behalf of Metrolux Sdn Bhd, had diverted the surface water to a stream which arose on the Metrolux land and it had resulted in water flowing directly behind the ill-fated Block One.

41. Kes saman kondo tangguh 1 Mac HM 29/08/1998 By Norliza Abdullah
    KUALA LUMPUR: Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi, Datuk James Foong menangguhkan perbicaraan penuh kes tuntutan saman 73 pemilik dua blok pangsapuri Highland Towers, Highland Properties Sdn Bhd pada 1 Mac depan. Mahkamah juga akan mendengar semula usul pindaan kandungan yang akan dikemukakan oleh kedua-dua pihak pada 28 September ini.

42. Expert: Developer failed to comply with plan NST 29/08/1998
    KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - The developer of Highland Towers had failed to comply with the approved plan on the diversion of a stream at the hill slope behind the apartment complex, the High Court was told today. Geotechnical engineer Dr Alan George Weeks said the diversion found at the site was not according to the plan and there was a failure to cut the terraces on the slopes according to the standard code.

43. Police still waiting for report on Highland Towers explosives MM 03/09/1998
    THE Gombak police are still waiting for a Defence Ministry report on the extent of explosives planted at Block 2 and 3 of Highland Towers after the tragedy on Dec 11, 1993. This is to confirm that all explosives were removed when the two buildings were declared safe.

44. Expert: Drainage system at Highland Towers under-designed NST 02/03/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - A civil engineering consultant told the High Court today that the drainage system at the Highland Towers tragedy site was "under-designed" and insufficient to accommodate storm water from the hillslopes in the area. Hooi Ka Heng, 67, an independent consultant with Syed Muhammad Hooi and Binnie Sdn Bhd said even if the drainage system worked at its best, it was still insufficient to accommodate the rainfalls in the area.

45. Air membuak dari bukit: Saksi BH 03/03/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR, Selasa - Perbicaraan saman sivil Highland Towers hari ini menyaksikan satu rakaman video menunjukkan air mengalir turun dari lereng bukit ke keliling kondominium Highland Towers ketika hujan lebat, setahun sebelum satu daripada tiga blok kondominium itu runtuh dan meragut 48 nyawa. Pita selama 10 minit itu diambil oleh seorang penghuni blok B Highland Towers pada 1992, menunjukan air membuak dari lereng bukit menuju ke arah blok C kondominium dan tingkat paling bawah tempat letak kereta blok itu telah dibanjiri tanah lumpur.

46. Jurutera perunding beri pendapat HM 04/03/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR: Seorang jurutera perunding menyatakan kepada Mahkamah Tinggi semalam, dia akan mengelak meletakkan pembentung paip untuk mengalirkan air dari anak sungai di lereng bukit bersebelahan kondominium Highland Towers. Apabila diperiksa balas peguam Cecil Abraham yang mewakili Arab- Malaysian Finance Bhd, Hooi Kah Hung, 67, berkata dia akan mengambil langkah keselamatan itu, jika dia yang terbabit mereka bentuk sistem saliran kawasan itu.

47. Laporan MPAJ diterima sebagai bukti HM 05/03/1999
    KUALA LUMPUR: Mahkamah Tinggi di sini, semalam, menerima sebagai bukti enam jilid laporan Majlis Perbandaran Ampang (MPAJ) yang mengandungi hasil siasatan yang dijalankan terhadap tragedi Highland Towers yang mengorbankan 48 nyawa. Hakim Datuk James Foong dalam keputusannya berkata jika sebarang pihak hendak menggunakan kandungan laporan itu, mereka harus memberikan dokumen sokongan.