Pusing Indah a problematic project, says Tajol Rosli
New Straits Times 8/1/2006

IPOH, Sat. - The Taman Pusing Indah housing project near here, scene of a landslide yesterday which damaged six houses, has been a problematic project since the beginning.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said it did not meet the requirements for a certificate of fitness for occupation (CF) to be issued, but the local authority cave in following pressure from the developer, buyers and politicians.

He said although the project was completed 10 years ago, the CF was only issued in 2003.

"The project has always been a problem case. It is located in an unstable area ... on ex-mining land and quite hilly.

"When the CF was not approved, buyers pleaded with the local authority, claiming they had been waiting for too long to move in.

"The local authority was placed in a difficult position. It did not approve the CF because the site was unstable but eventually gave in to pressure."

Tajol Rosli said yesterday's landslide was not the first to occur in the area.

"There had been minor landslips before but yesterday's was the biggest," he said after visiting the area today. He was, accompanied by Tronoh Assemblyman Datuk Lee Kon Yin and Kinta Barat district officer Datuk Basiran Saban.

Continuous rain over the last few days and soil erosion from a nearby hill could have triggered the land­slip which caused three roads to cave in.

Fifteen houses were affected but Only three were occupied. The two families and a bachelor in the houses escaped injuries. They are currently staying at government quarters in Batu Gajah.

The area has been cordoned off.

Tajol Rosli said everything was being done to ensure the safety of other residents, although it would be advisable for them to move out.

Taman Pusing Indah, which is located on a hill, comprises 140 medium-cost single-storey houses. However, only 20 per cent of them are occupied.

The rest are vacant and several units are up for sale.

There is only one access road to the area, which is narrow and winding, and no streetlights.

Meanwhile, Basiran said a task force would be set up to deal with problems affecting the housing estate.

"All the relevant agencies will be on the committee.

We are also trying to contact the developer, house buyers who have not moved in and are trying to sell their units."

He said the Geo-Science and Minerals Department had also been called in to conduct tests on the stability of the area.