In 1993, a massive landslide in Ukay Perdana caused Block 1 of the Highland Towers to collapse, killing 48 people in one of the country's deadliest man-made disasters. ― Malay Mail pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 ― Amid a recent spotlight on hillslope developments in the country, the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) has categorised half of 352 hillslopes in the densely-populated Selangor district as dangerous.

Of that figure, 116 fall into the extremely hazardous category, Malay daily Harian Metro reported today.

“The hillslopes in Ampang are divided into three ownerships that is under the management of MPAJ, individuals and developers and the government that is the Reserve Land and land yet to be acquired by the agency.

“The biggest number of hillslopes are located in the Hulu Klang state seat covering Melawati to Ukay Perdana,” Zafrul Fazry Mohd Fauzi, director of MPAJ’s engineering department, was quoted saying.

Environmentalists have in the past voiced concerns about safety and development in Ampang where many housing areas have been built on slopes. Several landslides have taken place within Hulu Klang in the past 10 years.

In 1993, a massive landslide in Ukay Perdana caused Block 1 of the Highland Towers to collapse, killing 48 people in one of the country's deadliest man-made disasters.

In the interview with Harian Metro, the MPAJ officer said measures have been taken to consolidate and stabilise some of these critically unsafe slopes, including covering them with wire nets and bolting rocks.

According to Zafrul, some of the hillslopes that have been stabilised are those in Bukit Antarabangsa, Taman Bukit Permai and Lembah Jaya.

A “kinematic analysis” will also be conducted to tests the safety of the hill slope before a safety certificate is issued, he added.