Muhyiddin urge local authorities to monitor hillsides

Last Friday's landslide at Puncak Setiawangsa led to the evacuation of 106 residents from the bungalows, terrace houses and shop houses in the area.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin urged local authorities and agencies to also monitor the hillsides and highlands nationwide during this rainy season.

Commenting on the latest development at the scene of the landslide, he said one of the bungalows would be demolished by Kuala Lumpur City hall (DBKL) to prevent further earth movements which could jeopardise the safety of the residents and building at the foot of the hill.

"It will be demolished anytime. It depends on the discussions between the developer and DBKL," he said.

He added that an alternative access was being built to enable residents in the affected area to retrieve their belongings.

He also assured the safety of the residents' property and said police will be patrolling the area 24-hours.

"I'm relieved that there were no casualties during the incident," he said.

Earlier, Muhyiddin and his wife Datin Seri Norainee Abd Rahman, arrived at the temporary police operations room at Persiaran Bukit Setiawangsa about 4.30 pm.

They were briefed by a police officer from the Sentul police head quarters and also surveyed the other security forces on duty in the area, including from the Civil Defence Department, Rela and Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department.