Landslide Due To Soil Movement No Logging Or Land Clearing Involved

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Residents removing essential items from their homes following the landslide at Taman Bukit Permai 2 in Ampang. (Bernama pic)KUALA LUMPUR: No logging or land clearing activities were carried out at Taman Bukit Permai 2, Ampang, which could have led to the landslide yesterday.
The incident was triggered by soil movement on the hill as a result of continuous rain, Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari said.
He said checks found that the area was an open zone and there were no complaints of suspicious activities there.
“Before this, we had received reports involving Taman Permai, an area 4km from the landslide site, but there was nothing about this area,” he told reporters at the scene today.
Amirudin said residents in 48 houses in the residential area had been ordered to temporarily evacuate for further inspections and monitoring by the authorities to ensure the area is safe.
He said it may take up to five days before the residents are allowed to return home.
“The public works department will carry out a detailed inspection within two to three days to ascertain whether the area is safe or not.
“Right now, canvas will be used to prevent further soil movement, especially when it rains,” he said.
Amirudin said each family of the deceased will receive cash of RM10,000 from the state government, while assistance for other affected families was being considered.
“Usually, those who were affected will receive cash aid of RM500, but I am still mulling over the possibility of increasing the amount or other assistance,” he said.
The landslide, which occurred yesterday evening, claimed four lives and injured another person. It affected15 houses and 10 vehicles.
The four who died were identified by police as A Mahendra, 36, E Ramasamy, 58,  Saifullah Ridzuan Ishak, 34 and Chong Siew Kim, 85. 
Cheng Kim Cheng, 85, escaped with injuries.
Ampang Jaya police chief Farouk Eshak said 30 policemen will continue with 24-hour monitoring at the area. - FMT

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