SERDANG: Seven weak slopes with development in Selangor that pose a landslide risk have been identified through a joint study conducted by local authorities and Kumpulan Ikram Sdn Bhd. 

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said the developers concerned had been informed of the problem and would have to carry out remedial works proposed by Ikram. 

ASSESSING THE DAMAGE: Dr Mohd Khir and Liew (left) visiting the landslide-hit area at Taman Bukit Serdang yesterday.

He said the study, started recently, had only been carried out on a small number of projects to date.  

“It is a pre-emptive measure that allows us to identify any weaknesses in slopes so that they can be corrected before a mishap occurs,” he told reporters yesterday after inspecting the slope in Taman Bukit Serdang where a landslide occurred on Wednesday. 

Dr Mohd Khir said many hillslope developments in Selangor had been approved based only on the recommendations of engineers hired by the developers, which was why the state was now grappling with the issue. 

“However, the state is rectifying the situation now and all local authorities have to make sure that every hillside development site under their jurisdiction is inspected,” he said. 

The state, he added, had to depend on Ikram’s expertise as it did not have its own hillslope experts. 

Dr Mohd Khir said Ikram had informed him that the 12 houses facing the collapsed slope in Taman Bukit Serdang did not have to be evacuated as there was no immediate danger. 

The developer, he added, had promised to start remedial works on the slope today and these would be completed within two weeks. 

Seri Kembangan assemblyman Datuk Liew Yuen Keong, who was also present, said the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) held a technical meeting yesterday morning with representatives from the police, Fire and Rescue Services Department, Public Works Department and Ikram. 

Based on recommendations by Ikram, he said the council had directed the developer to pile interlocking steel sheets into the slope to strengthen it. 

He said round-the-clock monitoring of the slope by MPSJ enforcers, policemen and firemen would continue until the works were completed.