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PETALING JAYA (May 16): The city council here (MBPJ) had issued a two-week, stop-work order for a hillside project at the vicinity of Empire Residence, Damansara Perdana over safety concerns.
According to news reports, Damansara lawmaker Gobind Singh Deo said that the order was issued after complaints from Empire Residence residents about mud and water flow during heavy rain, which they believe is originating from the construction site.
Gobind made a site visit yesterday with MBPJ Engineering Department director Ahmad Roslan Hairudin and various representatives.
“There are questions as to whether the slope is safe, as part of it is said to be classified as Class 3 and Class 4,” The Star’s Metro News reported Gobind saying.
He explained that Class 3 slopes may be developed under strict conditions while Class 4 slopes are generally not allowed for permanent structures.
Gobind said his staff had verified with MBPJ that the developer had submitted the necessary applications and received the relevant approvals.
“I was told that MBPJ issued a stop-work order on the project after a meeting with Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Pua Pei Ling last week.
Gobind added that the developer had been given two weeks to submit reports and documents, including slope stabilisation measures.
Meanwhile, a meeting would be called between the stakeholders to hear experts’ views on the report.
“An immediate short-term measure is to clean up the construction area and cover exposed portions of the hillslope.
“Another measure would be to build a drainage system to channel the water flow,” Gobind said.
Empire Residence Joint Management Body secretary Simon Ng told The Star that residents are concerned about potential soil movement and falling trees from the slope behind their homes.
“When we bought our properties, we were told the development behind Empire Residence would be for low-rise houses,” Ng said.
He said residents were later informed that the site had been revised to a three-block, 26-storey condominium project with 979 units.
Ng said residents have filed for judicial review against MBPJ and the developer, with the case set for hearing at the High Court in Shah Alam on August 14.
He added that an independent study commissioned by residents found that more than 60% of the slope falls under Class 3 and Class 4 categories.
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