SEVERAL residents of Jalan Kasawari 7 in Bandar Puchong Jaya are concerned if slopes in the vicinity were really safe.  

Their worry is attributed to the incident that occurred near their homes last Friday and due to disturbances at two hill slopes, one of which has been converted into a farming land while the other has been cut at its foot hill. 

The slope that has been cleared off its bushes and now converted into a farm.

“One of the two slopes is too steep, like about 70 degree,'' said Subang Jaya Municipal Council's (MPSJ) Awtar Singh, who paid a visit to the area recently.  

“The bottom has been cut to facilitate construction of new factory lots,'' said the councillor.  

“This disturbs the slope,'' said Awtar Singh, who had informed MPSJ president and the council's engineering department on Tuesday. Awtar Singh is also with MPSJ's infrastructure committee. 

He said the other slope, although not as steep, had been cleared off its bushes and converted into a corn farm.  

“I'm not sure who planted them, but my guess is probably the residents living in the apartments nearby,'' said Awtar Singh. “Any disturbances, like clearing of undergrowth as in this case, can trigger earth movements.  

“Stop work orders will be issued to the factory developers while notice will be sent to the apartments' management committee to stop the farming.” 

On repair works to the slope where the landslide had occurred, Awtar said the developer had sheet piles placed there to stop earth movements. The developer has also begun piling works yesterday.

Awtar Singh: 'Any disturbances, such as like this for factory lots, can cause earth movements.'

Awtar Singh said maintenance of slopes was still a grey area where responsibility mattered.  

“Questions like who will pay the costs is still hanging,'' he said.  

“There should be guidelines on slope management and hope that the Housing Ministry can shed some light on this,” he said. 

It is learnt that MPSJ is in the midst of requesting the Public Works Institute of Malaysia (Ikram) and the Public Works Department (JKR) to check if the construction of factory lots and agriculture cultivation will cause adverse effects to the slope.