Highland Towers has been abandoned since 1993, after Tower 1 collapsed, killing 48 people. — Malay Mail pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 — The Housing and Local Government Ministry is planning to turn the site of the Highland Towers condominium which collapsed 25 years ago into a recreational park, says its Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin.

She said the ministry had previously planned to build a housing project for the B40 (bottom 40 per cent household income) group at the site, but it was not suitable for the construction of buildings or houses.

“As such, we are going to turn (the area) into a park. The location is strategic and the surrounding community can utilise the facility,” she told reporters at the launch of #Girl2Leaders Malaysia campaign here today.

Also present was Selangor Mentri Besar’s wife, Masdiana Mohammad.

Zuraida said the Committee on re-development of Highland Towers had already identified the landowner and was now in the midst of drafting a proposal to develop the area.

“It (the project) is still in the planning stage and InsyaAllah (God willing), I will approve it when the time has come,” she said.

On December 11, 1993, one of the three blocks of the Highland Towers condominium at Taman Hillview in Ulu Klang collapsed, killing 48 people. — Bernama