Since there has been a lack of information being disseminated by IKRAM & JKR, I have organised a briefing from time to time within my community to update all information that I can get hold of. We feel that independent sources are required to advise us on our situations. Below is an appeal letter sent by hand to MPAJ. A meeting was secured for residents to meet TYDP MPAJ, En. Abdul Hamid (YDP was not able to attend) at Jalan Wangsa 9, 10 am Friday 12th December 2008.
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JALAN WANGSA 9 RESIDENTS COMMITTEE
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JALAN WANGSA 9 RESIDENTS COMMITTEE
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Our Ref.: Wgsa9-MPAJ/01
Date : 11th December 2008
Dato' Mohamad Yaacob
Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya
Yang Mulia Dato'
An Appeal From Residents of Jalan Wangsa 9, Taman Wangsa Ukay, Bukit Antarabangsa, Ulu Kelang, Selangor Darul Ehsan
We, the undersigned, as residents of the houses on Jalan Wangsa 9 respectfully request that Dato', as the Yang DiPertua of Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya, use your good office to look into several issues which we feel require to be acted upon immediately in respect of the current landslide problem resulting in all of us being ordered to leave our homes on Jalan Wangsa 9.
We have, on Thursday 11th December 2008, had a meeting with some independent Civil Engineering Consultants led by Ir. Dr Ooi Teck Aun (Geo Technical Engineer), Ir. Dr Tan Yean Guan (Geo Technical Engineer), Mr. Tan Boon Kong (Geologist) and Ir. Peter T T Chiam (Past President Institution Engineers Malaysia) to discuss the immediate measures that need to be taken to safeguard our properties by addressing the following issues: -
1. Arrest further deterioration of Jalan Wangsa 9, Wangsa Ukay - and consequently the 2 blocks of houses at the top of the slope failure - to safeguard our interests.
Being residents in the area, we may be able to offer our assistance to the technical personnel who are currently investigating the disaster. Some residents have identified that some roadside drain sumps on Jalan Wangsa 5 and 9 which drain into Jalan Wangsa 9 have failed resulting in further water draining into the slope, thereby further aggravating the problem. These sumps will need to be repaired immediately to prevent further water ingress into the subsoil strata and hence the failed slope.
Based on visual evidence, there is very clear evidence of excessive water on the failed slope (evidence of primary cause of failure). This has to be drained immediately so that the slope can be stabilised as soon as possible for the subsequent work to commence.
In view of the continued wet weather, tarpaulins will need to be placed at the top of the slopes to prevent further surface water seepage into the slope causing further instability and danger to both lives and property.
We believe that immediate action can be taken on the items mentioned above to control the damage while a longer term plan can be put in place to solve the problem on a long term basis. We also believe that these short term measures will not affect the overall long term plan and studies that are being studied and formulated to address the current hardship and threat to our properties on Jalan Wangsa 9.
In addition to the above, we would like to appeal that a formal channel of communication be opened between us and YDP's representatives so that we do not rely on unsubstantiated rumours for current information on the status of the situation. This channel of communication will help keep us informed of the progress of the immediate, mid-term and long term plans so that we can also make plans with respect to looking for alternative accommodation and moving our valuables out of our houses, some of which have been lived in for well excess of 20 years.
We appeal to your good office to consider our request to put into immediately some of the suggestions to arrest further deterioration of the instability of the slope thereby threatening our properties as well as appointing a liaison officer to keep us, the affected residents, informed of what is being done to solve the dilemma that we are currently facing.
Thank you very much for your attention and favourable consideration of our plight.
Yours faithfully,
SIGNED - RESIDENTS OF JALAN WANGSA 9 (enclosed)
c.c. ADUN Bukit Antarabangsa YB Encik Azmin Ali
Enc.
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Immediate actions to be taken, close monitoring & follow ups:
- Sumps will need to be repaired immediately to prevent further water ingress into the subsoil strata and hence the failed slope.
- The excessive water on the failed slope has to be drained immediately so that the slope can be stabilised as soon as possible for the subsequent work to commence.
- Tarpaulins will need to be placed at the top of the slopes to prevent further surface water seepage into the slope causing further instability and danger to both lives and property which we are very surprised that such prevention has not been attended to. Only small portion was covered.
- A formal channel of communication be opened between us and YDP's representatives so that we do not rely on unsubstantiated rumours for current information on the status of the situation.
NOTE: All residents, please note that I do not have internet accessibility (evacuated) so as much as I would like to disseminate more information, I am rather held up. I shall try to put as much minutes of meeting to my blog.
