RESIDENTS of Taman Sri Ukay Hillview in Ampang, Selangor, want the government to speed up the Highland Towers’ demolition and redevelopment, out of concern for their safety.

The Housing and Local Government Ministry had said the two blocks, which were abandoned 26 years ago after a landslide disaster, would be demolished in June, but to date, nothing has been done.

Taman Sri Ukay Hillview Residents’ Association president Siti Hendon Chik told The Malaysian Insight that residents were promised that the towers would be demolished after Hari Raya Aidilfitri in June.

“We were told that it would happen after Raya, but nothing has been done. We hope that the demolition will take place soon.”

Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin raised the issue last Monday, saying the land on which the towers sit will be acquired by the Selangor government through the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ).

She said the acquisition should be sped up, and expressed hope that it will be completed this month.

The towers were initially slated for demolition in October last year, but it was postponed to enable the ministry to conduct a study on the blocks’ structure.

Siti Hendon urged the authorities to engage residents whose homes surround the abandoned site, as their safety is involved.

“We are concerned about the safety of residents, some of whom live 500m from the towers.

“It will affect the surrounding residential area. We want a briefing by the demolition contractor and local council.”

She added that residents have agreed for the area to be turned into a park.

Zuraida had said the site would be redeveloped into a park with a memorial to the 48 people who died in the landslide on December 11, 1993 that saw the collapse of one of the three Highland Towers blocks.

The redevelopment is to be funded by MPAJ, with RM2 million pledged by the condominium’s developer.

Zuraida had said the site should not be redeveloped for housing as the soil in the area was unstable. – September 7, 2019.