NST Online: Topnews

Posted: 22 May 2011 06:04 PM PDT

Man-made tragedy

Orphanage at hillside built without permit

KAJANG: As the nation came to terms with the devastating landslide which claimed 16 lives, experts said that human factor, aided by changing weather patterns, caused the tragedy.

Geologists believed indiscriminate cutting of a hillside to build the Hidayah Madrasah Al-Taqwa orphanage was the main cause of the landslide.

They warned of more landslides in the area, while the Housing and Local Government Ministry is awaiting a report from the Public Works Department before deciding if the orphanage should be torn down.

Initial reports said the hill had a gradient of 80 degrees while guidelines on hillside development state that no structure can be built on a gradient exceeding 40 degrees.

Police are looking for the operator and owner of the place, which was set up more than 10 years ago as an orphanage and religious motivational camp.

The owner is a businessman in his 50s, while the operator depended on public donations to fund the orphanage.

The authorities were in the dark over the camp in Kampung Gahal here. Kajang Municipal Council president Datuk Hassan Nawawi Abdul Rahman, who was at the site yesterday, said the orphanage was an illegal building.

"There was no application filed by the owner for the building of this orphanage, which has been around for about 10 years. We have no records at all of any permits," he said.

"We were not aware of the existence of the building as this area is beyond our jurisdiction." Batu 14, Hulu Langat is mainly Malay reserve land and over the years, land had been sold off in lots to home owners.

The camp hit the headlines on Saturday when two landslides struck at 1.30pm, burying 25 children and several adults who were preparing for a function later in the day.

All the victims were in a tent, rehearsing a nasyid performance when the landslides occurred.

Search and rescue workers ended their operations yesterday at 5.30am with the final toll of 16 dead and nine injured. Three adults, said to be a warden and religious students, were among the dead. The rest were children between the ages of 8 and 14.

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King and PM extend sympathies to families

Posted: 22 May 2011 12:44 PM PDT

King and PM extend sympathies to families

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah in Washington also expressed deep sympathy to the families of the landslide.

KUALA LUMPUR: Messages of sympathy and condolences poured in from the king, prime minister and his deputy over Saturday's landslide which claimed 16 lives.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah expressed their sadness over the incident.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, also extended their sympathies to the families of victims.

Najib told Bernama in Washington: "It was heartbreaking to hear the news of the tragedy. I, my wife and family are sad over what has happened."

Najib and Rosmah will visit the site after cutting short their trip to the United States.

Rosmah said the prime minister would reschedule his trip to Japan on Wednesday afternoon.

"Instead of going straight to Japan, he wants to go back to Kuala Lumpur and I am happy he is doing that because this gives me the opportunity to visit the site as soon as I can," she said in a live interview with Radio24 from Washington.

She added that arrangements had been made with the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) to visit and assist those affected in whatever way it could.

Rosmah said she had also asked the health minister's wife, Datin Seri Lee Sun Loo, to be at the site to keep her updated.

Rosmah, who was saddened by the tragedy, broke down during the interview.

Najib and his wife also issued a statement, extending their condolences to the families of the victims. They hoped the families would remain calm and patient in their moment of bereavement.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the government would wait for a full report on the incident before deciding on the next course of action.

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King and PM extend sympathies to families

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Ahad, 22 Mei 2011