BANGSAR residents who have had to vacate their houses following a landslide want the authorities to give them a timeline on when they can return home.

An affected family said they are unsure when remedial works on the slipped slope behind their houses will be completed.

A family member who declined to be named told The Malaysian Insight that the authorities are working to sort out the issue, but have kept them in the dark on when they can move back in.

“We need something done immediately,” said the resident.

“We still do not have a timeline on when we can move back in. We have been getting information, but hope to get more on when we can return.”

On Saturday, families living in three houses were told to move out after a landslide occurred along Lingkungan Negri Sembilan and Jalan Limau Purut in Bangsar.

Brickfields police chief Amihizam Abdul Shukor said the move is a safety measure, although no casualty or damage was reported.

In a preliminary report, the Fire and Rescue Department said the soil slipped from the shoulder of the main road along a 40m stretch.

Kuala Lumpur Mayor Mahadi Che Ngah advised the residents to remain calm.

City Hall is awaiting a report from its officers and the Malaysian Institute of Public Works (Ikram), he added.

The resident said they are worried about the safety of the retaining wall at the back of their house.

“On Saturday morning, before the incident occurred, our contractor came to check on branches that had fallen into our backyard.

“We went out and saw cracks on our property in the backyard. He (contractor) said the cracks do not look good and were worrying.”

At about 6pm the same day, the landslide happened, the resident added.

“The Fire and Rescue Department immediately came to check on the area. When the landslide occurred, we exited the house and were reluctant to re-enter. Later, we were told by the authorities to vacate our house.”

On Sunday, the family returned to their house to gather some belongings.

“It is a traumatic experience for all of us as this has never happened before. It is just overwhelming,” said the resident.

Federal Territories Minister Shahidan Kassim said the authorities will wait for a full report on the landslide from Ikram before deciding on the next course of action.

Repair works will immediately commence after a complete review of the report, he added.

His deputy, Jalaluddin Alias, said he wants a long-term study on the root cause of the collapse within three months.

“The relevant authorities will carry out the related preliminary works within two weeks,” he said in a Facebook post on Sunday, after visiting the site. – October 26, 2021.