THE Highland Towers site, where one of three condominium blocks collapsed 25 years ago, will be redeveloped once the land matters are settled, said Abdul Hamid Abdul Hussain.

The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) president said it is possible for the long-abandoned area to be developed once again.

“It is possible but the land matters have to yet to be settled (first). Until it is settled, we can’t do anything,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Hamid said that according to the council’s information, the land is currently under the Insolvency Department.

“We need to finalise the information with the Department.”

On Dec 11, 1993, one of three blocks of the Highland Towers condominium at Taman Hillview, Ulu Klang, collapsed, killing 48 people. The other two blocks were abandoned after the structures were deemed unsafe. They have since become a haven for drug addicts as the land has left idle.

Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said that there are plans to build a housing project for the B40 group at the site of the Highland Towers.

She said the proposed plan could be implemented only after the affected land had been acquired and legal issues with buyers of the condominium units had been resolved.

Hamid said that they had their first meeting with the Housing and Local Government secretary general Muhammad Mantek on the issue this week.

“The ministry has set up a technical committee to look into the issue. We are still in midst of acquiring information on the land bank.”

Hamid said that the council will look at the technical issues once the ownership of the land is cleared.

“Before anything is done we have to look at the areas surrounding the Highland Towers where there are slopes.

“There are private properties which sit on Class 2 and Class 3 slopes.

“The Selangor Sensitive Environment Committee will have to evaluate the area first.”

Hamid said that any development will have to the get the approval of MPAJ.

“When the consultant comes up the development plans, MPAJ will then have to see if it meets all the requirements for approval.

“There must be proper consultation and studies done.

“We actually wanted to settle this matter a long time ago but it was difficult due to the land issue.”

Zuraida said that the site of the Highland Towers condominium is prime land in Selangor and should be fully utilised, not left idle.

She said that the ruins have become an eyesore and concern for those living around the area. – June 29, 2018.