WILL we learn a hard and painful lesson from the Jalan Masjid India Kuala Lumpur sinkhole tragedy?

The tragic incident, which claimed the life of an Indian tourist, has raised serious concerns about safety in the city.

While the causes of sinkholes are well-understood, the focus now shifts to whether Kuala Lumpur, with its limestone cavities and underground shifts, is at risk.

In response to various comments and social media discussions about the city’s safety, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif has reassured the public, stating that there is no solid evidence to support claims that the city is unsafe.

Lest we forget the collapse of a condominium in Ampang due to soil movement caused by underground waterways, any reassurances must be backed by tangible actions.

The government’s push for utilities-mapping is, therefore, timely and worrisome. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming plans to propose that local authorities, relevant agencies and utility companies collaborate on implementing underground utility mapping.

It appears that there has been a lack of centralised and coordinated infrastructure and geological mapping among the various parties involved, including those in electricity, telecommunications and waterworks, and developers.

Nga’s statement follows closely on the heels of Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil’s call for KL City Hall, relevant agencies and utility companies to work together on creating underground utility maps.

This initiative aims to prevent unwanted incidents, particularly during project developments. It is a timely concern across the board to have a well-coordinated and centralised utilities mapping in place.

Moreover, we cannot overlook or dismiss the research conducted by academics in geology and engineering. All findings must be effectively communicated to the public.

Given the drastic changes in weather patterns and rising water levels, it is crucial to advance a well-coordinated, authoritative and thorough study of geological shifts. This is especially important in areas like Kuala Lumpur, where limestone formations are sporadic. Such efforts must be pursued with great commitment and determination.

If past approvals for buildings and developments are now found to pose significant risks, immediate action must be taken without hesitation. Concerns about financial losses or political repercussions should not come at the expense of public safety. The Madani government has a duty to provide clear assurances, effective mitigation measures and comprehensive plans for future developments.

J.D. Lovrenciear

IPOH: Yields from non-radioactive rare earth element (NR-REE) mining activities will remain the right of the state government, says Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said any mineral mining operations, except for oil and gas, were under the jurisdiction of the respective state governments.

He said this was enshrined under the Federal Constitution and assured that no Federal Government-linked companies (GLC) would be set up to control the mining of NR-REE.

“We only wish to develop a holistic industrial network that includes research and development,” he told a press conference after a visit to a scheduled waste processing plant in Simpang Pulai yesterday.

Nik Nazmi said the Federal Government would only be involved when it comes to exports.

“As the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) has envisioned, we do not just want to mine and sell raw materials.

“We want it to be similar to the oil and gas industry, whereby we mine, process and get profits,” he added.

IPOH: A total of 18 out of 25 critical slopes in Perak are in high risk of landslides, says the state Mineral and Geoscience Department.

Its director Nizarulikram Abdul Rahim said these locations were deemed as high-risk due to their proximity to populated areas or places with human activities.

These locations included Kinta Valley Geosites such as Gunung Lang, Gua Matsoorat and cave temples like Perak Tong, Kek Look Tong and Kong Fook Ngam.

Other locations included Kampung Hijrah Chemor, Masjid Jamek Kampung Tanjung Kala (Hulu Perak), Taman Gemilang, Seri Iskandar, Persiaran Alam Impian (Pangkor) and Taiping Vistana Avenue.

“The main factor that could cause landslides in these areas is related to significant weather changes where the rain intensity exceeds normal levels.

“Other factors included poorly-planned land development in slope and rain catchment areas, and uncontrolled quarrying and logging activities,” Nizarulikram said when contacted.

He said the department was directly involved in providing its views for any planned development project in the state.

“We always emphasise on the technical aspects of development near slopes, the type of land, environmental preservation and notification of geological hazards and risks in an area,” he added.

Nizarulikram said the department and several other agencies had conducted Community-based Disaster Risk Management programmes to prepare residents for any geological disasters.

“Through this programme, the community in the respective areas that have had some natural disaster incidents or are at risk will be trained by the department to be the ‘local champions’ in handling matters about geological disasters like landslides.

“The champions are also trained to use the latest technology to do evaluations (for risks),” he said, adding that the awareness programme was important to educate the people to be resilient, especially in areas at risk of landslides.

“We have also conducted awareness programmes on slope safety and landslides and distributed brochures on early signs of landslides to the people,” he said.

IPOH, 27 Ogos (Bernama) -- Kerajaan Persekutuan setakat ini tiada sebarang perancangan untuk menguruskan hasil unsur nadir bumi bukan radioaktif (NR-REE) termasuk melalui syarikat berkaitan kerajaan (GLC).
Menteri Sumber Asli dan Kelestarian Alam Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad berkata pihaknya kini hanya dalam perbincangan melibatkan kerangka industri REE sebagaimana yang dihasratkan oleh Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sebelum ini supaya negara tidak sekadar menggali, tetapi turut menjual bahan mentah. "Saya ingat Perak dah lalui proses itu sebelum ini sebagai pengeluar timah dan sebagainya, kita nak seperti dalam industri minyak, kita gali dan juga proses di negara ini, jadi dapat pulangan kepada negara.

"Jadi tentang soal untuk tubuhkan GLC dan sebagainya, tidak timbul buat masa ini walaupun ada dicadangkan di perbahasan Parlimen. Kita bergerak mengikut kerangka Perlembagaan dengan mineral selain daripada minyak dan gas terletak di bawah kerajaan negeri," katanya pada sidang media dekat sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas sekiranya terdapat rancangan untuk menubuhkan GLC bagi menguruskan hasil NR-REE di negeri terlibat.
Ditanya jika terdapat kekhuatiran hasil NR-REE mungkin diuruskan GLC, Nik Nazmi menjawab: "Tiada kekhuatiran itu."

Julai lepas, Menteri Besar Perak Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad pada persidangan Dewan Undangan Negeri Perak berkata kerajaan negeri akan memastikan NR-REE kekal milik kerajaan negeri dan tidak akan diuruskan oleh GLC.

BERNAMA