Living on the edge

03/07/2006 THE MALAY MAIL

AN abandoned housing project at Jalan 5/66, Bukit Gasing, Petaling Jaya, is threatening neighbours with landslips.

Fast becoming an eyesore, the hilltop project was abandoned more than four years ago.

This time, however, the blame is not on the Petaling Jaya City Council. Instead, neighbours are accusing the land owner of not completing the project.

Architect Datuk L.K. Lai said the residents had sent letters to the land owner but there was no response.

"The lot is supposed to be for three houses. We had complained to the Petaling Jaya City Council (then the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council) but there was no action.

"We have experienced landslips where soil got into the drain and the compound of one of the houses," he said.

Lai said vacant lot owners should maintain their land so that they do not pose a danger to the residents.

"The developers must provide proper road and drainage. The construction must also conform with the provisions in the Environmental Impact Assessment.

"Likewise, the local authority must make sure the facilities are completed before taking over and maintain them regularly.

City council public relations officer, Zainun Zakaria, said they served a notice last week for the lot owner to maintain the site.

"Our building control department will monitor the abandoned structures. Since there were also complaints on landslips, we will check the area regularly.

"If the owner wants to resume the project, he may have to submit another application as it has been abandoned for too long," she said.