THE landslide that occurred in front of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy (Maca) at Persiaran Tunku Syed Sirajuddin at 1.30pm today is believed to have been caused by stagnant water and a broken underground pipe next to the entrance of the academy. 

Sentul District police chief Beh Eng Lai said the Public Works Department (PWD) slope forensic unit carried out an analysis and found that the stagnant water outside the entrance was possibly due to heavy rain over the past three days. 

“In addition, PWD also detected a broken underground pipe and both these factors resulted in water not flowing out, thus causing the landslide,” he told reporters when met at the scene today. 

Elaborating, Beh said that during the incident, two Rela personnel were on duty at the academy’s entry gate, and they heard a loud sound before realising a landslide had occurred. 

He said the two Rela personnel then informed the Maca security guards about the incident and, by the time they arrived, the command post had collapsed and the area affected by the landslide measured 30.48m by 36.57m. 

“We have taken preliminary action by instructing the 38 Maca employees and another 38 staff at the Malaysian Institute of Integrity, which is next door, to move to a safer area,” he said. 

Beh said there were no injuries or fatalities, and several cars were trapped in the academy area as the landslide involved the only entry/exit route to the academy. 

“Actually, there is a course being carried out involving about 70 MACC recruits at the academy. They are on Hari Raya Aidilfitri leave and are supposed to return tonight. 

“They have been informed not to come back yet following the incident as the situation is still unsafe,” he said. 

The MACA has emptied its entire premises and moved 45 people – 22 officers, 16 cleaners, and seven residents of its living quarters – to a safe area. 

“The evacuation was on the advice of the Fire Department and will continue until the affected area is declared safe. As of now, the Maca is ready for further instructions from the authorities and will make further announcements in the future. 

Public Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said based on preliminary investigations, an underground water pipe leak most likely caused the landslide. 

“The PWD is conducting an investigation,” he posted on his Facebook account today. – Bernama, April 25, 2023.