KUALA LUMPUR, 12 Dec 2008: The landslide site at Taman Bukit Mewah, Bukit
Antarabangsa, was closed immediately after the Public Works Department (PWD) issued a warning that the area was not safe and very dangerous.
Selangor chief police officer, Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar, said the warning was issued at noon today.
“Results of a PWD and Public Works Institute of Malaysia (Ikram) study show that the 10ha site is not safe for people, including for the search and rescue (SAR) personnel. It’s totally prohibited.
“Police have sealed the place and have taken full control of the area and the
Police Air Wing will monitor the area periodically,” he told reporters here today.
Khalid said the PWD and Ikram will issue a full report on the safety status on
19 Dec.
However, Khalid said a small team comprising SAR personnel from the Fire and
Rescue Services Department and the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and
Rescue Team (Smart) will be stationed there for any eventuality.
He said residents from five areas — Taman Bukit Mewah; Jalan 9 and Jalan 11, Taman Wangsa Ukay; Jalan 6 Taman Bukit Jaya; and Kondominium Impian Selatan — who were asked to move out could remove their belongings using temporary passes.
Meanwhile, a permanent bridge being built by the PWD will be ready by 6am tomorrow. Besides that Khalid said works for an alternative route by the army will begin at midnight tonight until 6am tomorrow.
“Also road repair works and tarring will be done over two days,” he said.
“People who want additional information can read notices posted at agencies’ operations posts or meet the duty officer at the operations room,” he said.
Khalid said the main focus now was on the rehabilitation phase and that will be monitored by the Gombak District Officer, Huzaini Samsi.
He said till now the police had received 102 complaints by local residents on the destruction and loss of property. — Bernama
