The Malaysian Insight

TAMAN Ukay Heights residents want the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) to explain the massive earthworks on a hillslope near their homes on Jalan Teberau.

Resident Chacko Vadaketh said earthworks had been going on for about a month, but they did not know the purpose.

A signboard at the site stated what was supposed to be done, but the work going on appeared to be different.

“The signboard says monsoon drain repairs and slope stabilisation, but they are clearing out vegetation and dumping earth here,” Vadaketh said.

“We want to know what the approvals were given for and whether MPAJ knows what the contractor is doing.”

Vadaketh said the earthworks had clogged a monsoon drain in the neighbourhood and caused flash floods recently.

Residents are also unhappy with a stop-work order MPAJ issued to the contractor on October 31. The order had ordered the contractor to install measures, such as silt traps and fencing.

The contractor was engaged by the owner of the land.

Residents have a meeting with MPAJ this Thursday, where they will ask the council to explain the project.

Vadaketh said residents wanted to know if the contractor was following the rules for soil compacting to stabilise the slope.

He also questioned why the community was not informed about the earthworks and added that since the site was a steep hillside below some houses, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) should have been carried out.

They fear that the clearing of vegetation on the slope could cause landslides, and put the homes at the top of the slope at risk.

“(We want to know) if an EIA was carried out, if so, we also want to know the results.

“We to find out whether they are complying or whether their project has diverted from initial plans.”

Vadaketh said residents have spent a lot of time researching and cross-checking information on the earthworks with the local council and holding press conferences to highlight their grouses.

“We will also be asking MPAJ what their engineers have to say, on whether this is the proper way to develop this property. 

“Before the earthworks, it was a very safe and stable piece of land, covered with trees and vegetation.” – November 20, 2018.