WHAT is the difference between a Class 3 and a Class 4 hillslope?

Ever since the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide tragedy on Dec 6, 2008, people have learned that hillslopes are classified according to varying gradients.

Class 1 is for gradients of less than 15 degrees; Class 2 (between 15 and 25 degrees); Class 3 (between 25 and 35 degrees); and Class 4 (over 35 degrees).

A Federal Territories Ministry spokesman said that classification was not a simple matter as besides the gradient, other factors like the soil condition was taken into consideration.

WHETHER the proposed 17-storey condominium project at Jalan Medang Kapas, Bukit Bandaraya, takes off or not will depend on a report by the Public Works Institute of Malaysia (Ikram).

The study by Ikram is ongoing and a preliminary report is expected to be out some time next month. Kuala Lumpur City Hall has admitted that it gave the project its approval with the issuance of a development order on June 2 last year.

A statement by City Hall’s corporate communications unit last Friday said that this was done after taking into consideration:

 

RESIDENTS of Bandar Sri Damansara are at their wits’ end over the constant mud flow occurring at their residential area over the past few months.

 

SEVERAL residents’ association (RA) representatives, primarily in areas affected by risky hillside developments, are urging the local authorities to put the interest of the public before that of the developers.

They came out strongly in support of the Malay Mail report on local government expert and environmental
lawyer Derek Fernandez, who urged the Selangor government not to give in to pressure from hillside project developers.

THE Selangor government should not give in to pressure from developers of hillside projects, local government expert and environmental lawyer Derek Fernandez said.

The developers have threatened to move their projects to Johor if the State did not lift its ban on hillslope development.

IT has been eight months since the Federal Territories Ministry announced a stop-work order on all controversial hillside developments in Kuala Lumpur.

Soon, the ban may or may not be lifted — following the announcement of the newly approved Guidelines for Hillside and Highland Areas Development.

THE newly-approved Guidelines for Hillside and Highland Areas Development Planning — which bans development on slopes of more than 35 degrees — are not something new, according to experts.

Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha, had two weeks ago also announced that development was prohibited on slopes of between 15 and 35 degrees that showed signs of erosion, land instability or were laden with sensitive geological materials.

THE Ministry of Housing and Local Government has drawn up new guidelines for hillslope development and these are in line with the guidelines set by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha said the guidelines approved by the Cabinet recently were a standardisation of the Hillside Development Guidelines produced by his ministry as well as the Highlands Development Guidelines produced by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

RESIDENTS, developers and the authorities in Kuala Lumpur who have been in the limelight over the years on their stand against hillside development can look forward to an end to their predicament next month.