SHAH ALAM, Dec 19 – New development projects in hilly areas of Ampang Jaya will now be required to install Early Warning Systems (EWS) as part of their approval conditions, in a move to strengthen early detection of potential landslides.
The Star reported Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) deputy president Hasrolnizam Shaari as saying that the requirement, which has been in place since November, is intended to enhance environmental monitoring and public safety.
“The EWS will be able to detect changes in the environment and alert the relevant parties,” he said.
The mandatory installation would allow the local authority to build a more comprehensive dataset for long-term slope monitoring.
This year, EWS units have been installed at slopes in Taman Bukit Jaya, Jalan Wangsa 3, Jalan Bunga Melati 1, as well as Jalan Mega 3 and 5.
“We will be expanding the installation to other areas, especially on government-owned land first,” Hasrolnizam said.
Over the past decade, MPAJ has spent between RM60 million and RM70 million on slope-related works, funded through allocations from the state and Federal governments.
“Each year, we spend about RM2 million on slope maintenance and another RM2 million on cleaning and repair works,” he said.
Two slope-related incidents were recorded in Ampang Jaya this year, involving a rockfall in Taman Bukit Permai in November and a landslip at Kampung Bukit Sungai Puteh earlier this month.
On tree-fall incidents, Hasrolnizam said recent cases were linked to poor maintenance on privately owned land.
“Based on our records, the past few cases of tree falls were on privately-owned land that was not maintained,” he said.
Hasrolnizam added that, while such areas fall outside its jurisdiction, MPAJ would still assist with cleaning and removal works in the event of incidents.
Several high-risk areas had been identified despite not being under its direct authority.
“We plan to submit a proposal to the state government to highlight that these areas require attention, particularly locations along the boundary between forest reserves and private land,” he said, noting that remedial works would also be carried out to reduce future risks.
In a separate matter, Hasrolnizam said enforcement action continues against business licence holders who employ foreign workers without valid permits. Between October 14 and Monday (December 15), MPAJ issued 19 compounds and carried out 135 seizures at premises found to have breached licence conditions.
The action was taken under the MPAJ Trade, Business, and Industry By-Laws 2007.
