Shaziman Urges LA to Form a ‘Slope’ Unit to Monitor Landslides

SERDANG, January 6 - The Ministry of Works today called the Local Authority (LA) to set up ‘slope’ unit to monitor the landslide in the country.  It’s minister, Dato’ Seri Shaziman Abu Mansor, said only a small number of local authorities have their own ‘slope’ units including the Public Works Department (PWD).

"We desperately need more geologists who are able to monitor the slope. Currently only 34 geologists in PWD ... it's not enough to monitor for the whole country.  "In fact, the local authorities, which has the unit are Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ),Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) and Penang Municipal Council (MPPP). 

"We have identified 21,000 gradients that need to be monitored, which involves monitoring the aspects of stability at all times," he said after visiting the collapsed wall condition at the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) here today.  He said the government has approved guidelines for the construction of buildings on the slope area through Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT).

"I think that these guidelines can be complemented by self-monitoring slope units specifically for local authorities with high raise placement," he said.  In the 6.15pm incident yesterday, six metres guardrail walls with a height of two metres collapse resulting severe damage to seven motorcycles owned by Kolej Serumpun, UPM students.