KUALA LUMPUR: “Hillside” and “landslide” are two words that have been propping up in the same sentence quite extensively as of late.
Ever since the tragic landslide that hit Bukit Antarabangsa two weeks ago, developers with hillside developments have been under the radar by observers who fear that these projects are accidents just waiting to happen.
According to PJD Management Services Sdn Bhd chief operating officer Lim Lian Seng, the company has adhered to relevant safety requirements.
Many developers are giving assurances that their hillside developments are in compliance with the relevant remedial and safety regulations and are safe to inhabit.
For PJ Development Holdings Bhd (PJD), that task will be a lot tougher, especially for its Siarah Oakleaf development which is located within Bukit Antarabangsa itself.
The development comprises twenty 2½-storey semi-detached homes with a gross development value of over RM40mil. The homes have a starting price of RM2mil.
PJD Management Services Sdn Bhd chief operating officer Lim Lian Seng said the company had adhered to the relevant safety requirements when it undertook the construction of the project, which is now 90% complete.
“We have the geo-technical reports as requested by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) and Ikram (Public Works Institute) to certify that the land where our project is safe to construct,” he said when contacted by StarBiz.
“Procedure-wise, we have the clearance from the proper authorities to go ahead with the project,” Lim said, adding that the company was expecting to receive the certificate of fitness by February.
He also said that safety was always a primary concern for the company when it decided to embark on its development in Bukit Antarabangsa.
“The land was approved for the construction of 200 units of condominiums but we were more cautious and decided to construct landed homes,” Lim said, adding that PJD was not working on other hillside developments.
The Siarah Oakleaf development is located about 600m from where the landslide took place. Lim said the landslide tragedy on Dec 5 would have an impact on both property buyers and sellers.
“It will affect everyone. Purchasers are more cautious and developers will definitely have problems selling our (hillside) projects,” he said.
With the right reports, analysis and proper drainage systems in place, Lim said it would still be safe to develop projects on hillsides.
By The Star (by Eugene Mahalingam)
Friday, December 19, 2008
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