RESIDENTS in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, who were forced to vacate their homes due to a landslide in October, have moved back despite potential risks.

They said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is taking too long to complete slope rectification works, and they don’t want to leave their property unguarded.

While some short-term work has been done to temporarily stabilise the slope, residents are questioning when the actual long-term works will start, given that the landslide occurred a month ago.

A family told The Malaysian Insight that they moved back to their home in late November as they were tired of the uncertainty.

One family member, who wants to be identified as Liu, said that to date, DBKL has not said that residents cannot move back.

“We considered the risks and decided to move back. We have not been informed officially when we could move back. DBKL has not reached out to us.”

On October 23, a landslide occurred at Lingkungan Negeri Sembilan, affecting the houses downhill at Jalan Limau Purut following heavy rainfall.

Authorities told three out of more than 30 households in the area to move out after the landslide occurred.

Brickfields police chief Amihizam Abdul Shukor said then the move was a safety measure, even though there were no casualties or damages.

On a recent visit to the site, the affected slope appeared covered with grass.

Liu said Bukit Bandaraya Residents Association adviser M. Ali has been helping the residents liaise with DBKL.

“Ali has been very helpful in reaching out to DBKL. But, they are not telling us what they are doing.

“I understand that remedial work is needed to stabilise the slope. But, we had to move back because we don’t want our house to be targeted as it is vacant.

“We also did not want to overstay our welcome at our relative’s house, where we were temporarily living.”

Liu hopes that DBKL and the Public Works Institute of Malaysia (Ikram), tasked with rectifying the slope, will communicate with residents.

“We want to know the timeline for slope work.”

Waiting for DBKL’s response

Ali, meanwhile, said he has been liaising with DBKL on behalf of the residents.

“City Hall should be more proactive and engage with the residents to resolve this issue.”

He said that on November 9, DBKL and Ikram held a briefing where the local authority said it was up to the affected residents to move home if they wanted.

“They said that since it was the Fire and Rescue Department that originally advised the affected residents to move out, as such the residents may now decide for themselves.

“This, I felt, was highly irresponsible,” said Ali.

Ali said that it is already the end of November and there has been no further word from DBKL or Ikram.

“I’m disappointed and questioning why City Hall is dragging their feet. I want Kuala Lumpur Mayor (Mahadi Che Ngah) to intervene and provide a solution to the matter.

“The residents have suffered enough. City Hall should not make it hard on them.”

The Malaysian Insight has contacted DBKL and is awaiting their reply. – December 4, 2021.