BUKIT BERUNTUNG, 21 Oct: The state government today agreed to channel cash assistance amounting to RM300 for each family of the landslide incident at Pangsapuri Teratai, said Chief Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali.

He said this to the media after visiting the victims of the landslide at the temporary placement centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Taman Bunga Raya today.

He visited them after visiting the site of the incident at Pangsapuri Teratai near the school.

During his visit, Azmin managed to greet and share his sadness with the victims, in addition to stressing that the state government will monitor the area with help from the Public Works Department (JKR), IKRAM and the fire department.

Azmin also made a short speech at the school which was also attended by State Exco members Dr Daryoah Alwi, Ean Yong Hian Wah and V Ganabatirau, the Assemblywoman for Rawang, Gan Pei Nei; the Assemblywoman for Kuala Kubu Bharu, Lee Kee Hiong; and the Member of Parliament for Ampang, Zuraida Kamaruddin.

Mohamed Azmin said that the state government, particularly the Community Welfare Department (JKM) has taken proactive measures to help all the victims with basic necessities since the day of the incident yesterday.

“Among the items provided are mattresses, pillows, foods and other necessities for everyone, including senior citizens and babies. So far, it has been reported that 158 families have been registered at the temporary placement centre.

“All victims need to be placed at the temporary placement centre after JKR retracted the statement that the area has been found to be safe this morning,” he said.

Mohamed Azmin said that based on the report by the Hulu Selangor District Council (MDHS), JKR and IKRAM, there is still earth movement in the area of the incident.

In relation to that, he said that monitoring will continue to be carried out by the authorities and the period is estimated to be between one to three weeks.

“The state government prioritises the safety of the residents. For the time being, we cannot let the residents go back to their homes.

“At the same time, the management is working to bring in concrete blocks to hold the bank so that there is no landslide. If this effort is successful, the residents can return to their respective homes in the near future,” he said.

The landslide at Pangsapuri Teratai yesterday evening was considered the worst so far with residents at Blocks K and L being moved to the temporary placement centre in three nearby schools.

The first time the same incident happened was in 2009.

NS