KUALA LUMPUR, 12 Dec 2008: Representatives of eight housing estates and condominiums in Bukit Antarabangsa have formed a new association called the Bukit Antarabangsa Residents Association (Bara) following the tragic landslide in the area on 6 Dec.
The new association comprises heads of residents’ associations of Taman Bukit Utama, Taman Bukit Utama Tropicana Villa, Puncak Bukit Utama, Taman Bukit Jaya, Kyoto Gardens, Oakleaf Condominium, Laman Oakleaf and Sinaran Ukay.
Bara spokesman Dr Mohammad Rafick Khan said there was a need for a proper association to voice out the residents’ concerns, suggestions and observations following the landslide that took the lives of four residents.
“The formation of a coalition of residents’ associations within Bukit Antarabangsa follows a concerted effort in setting up and running a community-led relief centre in Taman Bukit Utama Tropicana Villa since the landslide occurred.
“As one voice and one body, we will persist in finding out what measures will be taken by the government so that similar catastrophic landslides do not happen again,” he told a press conference at the launch of Bara in Bukit Antarabangsa, near here, today.
He said Bara wanted to know from the government how long it would take to restore the conditions at the landslide vicinity back to normal and the risk level of other areas in Bukit Antarabangsa.
“What will be the government’s next action after the technical report comes out and the long-term issue? What are the measures that will be adopted to ensure slope safety of the areas. We don’t want this incident to be soon forgotten.”
Mohammad Rafick said Bara’s objectives were to make Bukit Antarabangsa a safe and secure place and to work closely with the federal and state governments, local authorities and various enforcement bodies to work out short-term and long-term measures to prevent landslides.
“Generally, the residents were satisfied with the level of support given by the various agencies and non-governmental organisations but felt that some lack of information and coordination caused confusion among the residents and this led to further anxiety and frustration,” he said.
The new association will conduct a post-mortem with the relevant agencies on the coordination of relief efforts to find better ways of managing such a crisis. — Bernama
