Khir: Act decisively

New Straits Times 6/6/2006

SHAH ALAM: Authorities involved in approving hillside developments should act decisively to prevent future landslides.

Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said authorities, such as the Department of Environment, that conduct environmental impact assessments (EIA) should approve or disapprove the development decisively.

"There should be a full stop, a yes or no, instead of an approval subject to conditions," he said.

Dr Mohd Khir said approvals subject to conditions that were not fulfilled could lead to tragedies such as the recent killer landslide that claimed four lives in Kampung Pasir, Ulu Klang on May 31.

He said authorities should not rely on consultants hired by developers to determine if a hillside development was safe.

"These consultants are hired by the developers and would be committed to their paymasters."

He was speaking to the Press after handing over letters of appointments to 7,000 imams and committee members of 326 mosques in Selangor at the State Secretariat building yesterday.