By Azian Aziz
AMPANG JAYA, Jan 20 — The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) will cut down all trees at 61 high-risk slopes in areas under its jurisdiction, to lessen the soil burden and prevent any movements that could lead to landslide incidents.
Its Engineering Department director Zafrul Fazry Mohd Fauzi said out of the total, 45 of them were deemed very dangerous while 14 others were dangerous.
“The total cost to cut down the trees is approximately RM7.3 million, and will be fully borne by the state government.
“We will begin cutting down the trees concurrently in April and also repair the drainage system within the area, as it will ease the inspection process. We expect the process will be completed within two to three months.
“This is a daunting task as the trees will regrow after a year. What we can do is carry out the maintenance works which costs approximately RM1.5 million annually,” he said.
Zafrul Fazry said this after presenting the Slope Management Action Plan during the public dialogue with Ampang residents here yesterday.
Also in attendance was Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail, MPAJ president Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim, Hulu Langat District Officer Ani Ahmad, and Ampang District police representative DSP Mohamad Fisol Abdullah.
He added MPAJ will also conduct stabilisation works on four highly-dangerous slopes at an estimated cost of RM5.9 million, and install Early Warning Systems on four more slopes (estimated to cost RM4 million).
“These eight slopes are included in the 61 slopes that I mentioned earlier. Total cost for the slope works are estimated to be around RM18.7 million,” he said.
