PUCHONG – While Taman Wawasan residents are generally satisfied with the authorities’ efforts in fixing the damage caused by a landslide nearly two weeks ago, patience is running thin among those who have been forced to seek temporary shelter elsewhere.
For Abd Rahim Md Ali, a 72-year-old resident whose home was one of nine houses affected by the December 16 landslide along Jalan Wawasan 3/9, the displacement is troublesome, but understandable.
“We understand that this (repair works) is something which requires technical knowledge. It’s not just about simply erecting a rock wall. Authorities know better how to deal with this situation.
“We don’t have any complaints (about authorities), it’s just that we want to return to our homes. How long are we supposed to stay over at our relatives’ houses?” Abd Rahim told Scoop when met near the incident area yesterday.
He also said that since residents are well aware of how such technical work is expected to take some time to be properly carried out, it would be “pointless” to lash out by complaining or holding protests over their current situation.
The senior citizen, who has stayed in the locality for the past 23 years, also added that residents have no intention of permanently moving out of their homes if a complete report on the natural disaster indicates that the area is safe to be inhabited.
“We will come back here. Where else would we move to? For me, as an unemployed elderly individual, who will give me a loan to buy a house? It’s not like houses are cheap nowadays.
“Besides, it looks like (the process of) installing (iron) piling by expert contractors is already underway. We pray that everything goes well,” he said.
Without revealing the amount of compensation received, Abd Rahim confirmed accepting financial aid from Subang MP Wong Chen and Kinrara assemblyman Ng Sze Han.
Previously, Selangor infrastructure and agriculture executive councillor Izham Hashim said that initial findings suggest that the occurrence of cracks in the monsoon drain was the underlying cause of the landslide.
He also said that the cracks in the large monsoon drain located on the slope caused water to flow downward through the cracks, resulting in the soil becoming saturated and a slope failure to occur.
Yesterday, Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) mayor Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim said that the first phase of iron piling needed to stabilise the landslide area will be completed this Sunday.
A second phase of iron piling involving 400 piles has also begun concurrently, with 115 of them already installed. – December 29, 2023