AN early morning landslide forced seven families out of their double-storey terrace homes in Taman Kelab Ukay, Bukit Antarabangsa, Selangor, early this morning.

No casualties were reported and the homes were not damaged but the authorities have barred the occupants from moving in until the situation is assessed and the soil erosion is dealt with.

The Selangor government has placed the 40 affected residents at the De Palma Hotel in Ampang until it is safe for them to return homes.

The landslide, which occurred just after 2am, was believed to have been caused by the continuous rain over the past few days.

Taman Kelab Ukay residents association chairman Syed Zulkifli Syed Masir told The Malaysian Insight his neighbour called him about 2.30am to inform him about the incident.

“The earth was still rumbling and tree roots were still being uprooted by the soil movement.”  said Zulkifli who was been staying in Taman Kelab Ukay since 1996.

“There was a big hole in the ground but fortunately everyone here is safe and there were no injuries reported.

“The houses were not badly damaged but it is still a worry and not safe for occupation.” 

A woman who declined to be named said she heard loud cracks from her kitchen and when she went to check, she saw the earth moving.

“We alerted the neighbourhood as it was dangerous.” 

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director Hafisham Mohd Noor said 40 occupants in the seven houses were instructed to vacate their homes as cracks have appeared on the walls of their homes.

The landslide was believed to have occurred following continuous rain, resulting in soil movement in the area, Hafisham added.

Firefighters placed canvas sheets over the collapsed slope to prevent further erosion.

Zulkifli said the Selangor state government had agreed to place all affected families at the De Palma Hotel in Ampang for a week.

He said Menteri Besar Amiruddin Shari had also agreed to bear the cost of renting a temporary home for a period of six months.

“We are staying at the De Palma Hotel for a week. At the same time, we need to look for a house to rent and the state government has agreed to bear the cost,” Syed Zulkifli said.

It is learnt that the process of securing and adjusting the site may take up to six months.

Another resident told The Malaysian Insight that she was worried about the safety of her family when neighbours raised the alarm.

“We immediately packed our things and left the house. We could not jeopardise our safety by staying any longer,” said the woman in her 40s.

Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin has pledged to allocate RM2 million to build a retaining wall at the slope.

She said construction and repair works were expected to be completed within six months and residents were directed to vacate their homes during the period.

“I have directed the contractors to start their work, the allocation has been approved immediately for Ampang Jaya Municipal Council begin work,” she told reporters after visiting the scene today. – May 30, 2020.