By Nasuha Badrul Huzaini
SHAH ALAM, Dec 20 — Local authorities have been urged to implement the Guidelines for Landslide Vulnerability Assessment and Development of Risk Index for Critical Infrastructure (CI) in Malaysia immediately, said Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail.
She said her constituents have expressed their concerns over the risky slopes and hill slopes, which were illegally cleared without following strict conditions set by the authorities.
Rodziah, who is also the state executive councillor for housing and urban wellbeing, said local authorities like the Ampang Jaya City Council must implement the guidelines, which were published by the Housing and Local Government Ministry with effect on August 15, 2022.
“Ampang residents should be provided with the land assessment report within three months from now. Apart from installing the slope signages, they must also be provided with a risk matrix for their respective areas so the status of local areas is well understood, whether it is safe, risky or severely affected.
“The analysis of the disaster threat map, risk map and vulnerability map should be easily accessible to the public comprehensively and periodically,” she said in a statement today.
Rodziah added in tackling world climate change issues, highland areas and coverage of forest must be strengthened as Ampang’s backbone, rather than being highlighted as the cause of disaster threats.
She said critical construction on slopes and hillsides must be controlled — whether ongoing or future planning — especially when the area or nearby location had a history of landslides.
“They also must take into account the area’s topography condition and soil movement report which may lead to a landslide; there are existing land barriers that we fear could collapse should new construction take place, or there is agricultural or forestry activities at nearby areas which can contribute to the effect of chain landslides,” Rodziah said.
She added that local councils’ manifestation will be more apparent if strict control is implemented and comprehensive reports are provided periodically.
“The Ampang Parliamentary Service Centre is dedicated to assisting and collaborating with relevant parties to ensure this commitment can be achieved together within a reasonable period. We also have to support the efforts taken by the people to help achieve the goals,” Rodziah said.
