By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, Dec 26 — Prompt action is being taken by the relevant authorities and developers of the Cendana residential area in Puncak Bestari, Bandar Puncak Alam, to prevent possible landslides from happening.
This comes as its residents expressed fear of a potential disaster after witnessing evidence of soil movement since 2016.
In a Facebook post, the Kuala Selangor Parliamentary Service Centre said a soil investigation conducted by a consultant appointed by Worldwide Holdings Bhd, one of the Cendana project’s developers, has identified several recommendations for improvements to the affected slope.
These were then tabled and presented during a special meeting on December 7 at the Kuala Selangor Municipal Council (MPKS), chaired by the council’s engineering director.
The meeting was attended by Cendana Puncak Bestari residents, developers Guppyunip Sdn Bhd and Worldwide, representatives of Kuala Selangor MP Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, and MPKS’ Engineering Department.
“The meeting aims to ensure that decisions made in an earlier meeting are implemented by both developers — Worldwide and Guppyunip — and to coordinate technical issues related to the repair and maintenance of the slope.
“Worldwide’s consultant also tabled its soil investigation report, together with proposals for improvements,” it said today.
Among the repair and maintenance works that have been and will be implemented include:
- Draining the accumulated water at the base of the slope and rectifying the water flow, as well as periodically maintaining the toe drain there.
- Ensuring the slope area susceptible to erosion is promptly seeded with grass within a two-week timeframe.
- Constructing an additional drainage outlet system in areas with water pooling and connecting it to the municipal drain.
- Cutting down all large trees in the slope area.
- Installing a horizontal drain and carrying out regular slope maintenance.
The centre added that Worldwide and Guppyunip are responsible for systematically implementing the aforementioned measures.
On Sunday (December 24), the News Straits Times reported the Cendana residential area’s residents allege they live on the edge of a possible landslide, as an unstable slope behind Jalan Bestari 2/5 has caused numerous cracks and damages to the roads and properties in the area, including to the structure of their homes.
They fear a similar incident to the landslide in Taman Wawasan, Puchong, on December 16, particularly with the ongoing constant rainfall.
Cendana Housing Residents’ Association chairman Mohd Kamal Mohd Kaus was quoted as saying that at least five houses on Jalan Bestari 2/5 have been badly affected, with most experiencing severe physical cracks.
