Bukit Kiara Mud Flood: DBKL Halts Work, Reviews Slope Projects

KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Bernama) -- Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has issued an immediate stop-work order following a mud flood incident at Jalan Abang Haji Openg yesterday, involving a project at the Bukit Kiara Federal Park Administrative Zone.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said a compound was also imposed on the contractor involved, as DBKL initiates a comprehensive review of all slope development works in the area.

She noted that the project is under the National Landscape Department (JLN) of the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) and is being implemented by the Public Works Department (JKR).

"I visited the site tonight (April 18) together with the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud. DBKL has taken immediate action in light of the emergency situation and the potential risks posed to the safety of nearby residents," she said in a statement on her Facebook page.

Hannah said the measures taken include cleaning operations by the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) and DBKL, the removal of hoarding structures at the affected site, and repairs to the silt trap to control surface water runoff.

She added that DBKL has established an on-site control centre to coordinate operations, with JBPM personnel on standby for emergency relief.

According to Hannah, the mayor has directed all parties involved to attend an urgent meeting tomorrow to reassess mitigation plans and prevent a recurrence.

"He has also ordered a review on all slope development works in the Bukit Kiara Federal Park area. New guidelines for phased and controlled earthworks will be introduced in the area,” she said.

Hannah stressed that DBKL will continue to tighten the regulation of earthworks on slopes, emphasising that such works will no longer be allowed to proceed in a broad and uncontrolled manner, but must instead be carried out in carefully managed phases.

“I also urge JLN and JKR to take immediate mitigation measures to prevent any recurrence. The safety of the public must remain paramount and all responsible parties must act with urgency and full commitment,” she said.

In a statement today, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said JKR has been instructed to carry out a detailed technical investigation to determine the actual cause of the flooding incident, which led to the collapse of a retaining wall near Phase 1B at Jalan Abang Haji Openg in Taman Tun Dr Ismail.

While visiting the site today, Hannah said repair works at the location of the collapsed retaining wall near Phase 1B are expected to take two days to complete.

“We must ensure the contractor carries out the repair works immediately and that such an incident does not recur.

“I have asked JKR to continuously monitor the situation as it involves slope works, and (as for) DBKL — the mayor yesterday also ordered a review of all slope-related works involving Bukit Kiara,” she said.

Hannah said DBKL has also deployed additional machinery and Alam Flora Sdn Bhd assets to intensify clean-up operations, including at a nearby school.

Based on preliminary reports, the incident occurred following heavy rain between 3.30 pm and 5.30 pm, which caused water overflow from the project site.

Meanwhile, Taman Tun Dr Ismail Residents’ Association chairman Abdul Jabar Ahmad Junid said the overflow from the project site yesterday was the worst incident to have affected residents’ homes in the area.

“This time it is indeed serious as the water not only overflowed onto the road, but also began entering the parking areas of residents’ homes and filled drains at the back of the houses,” he said.

Abdul Jabar said residents are now working with the Member of Parliament’s office and the authorities to provide additional water retention measures as a precaution against rainy weather throughout the week.

-- BERNAMA