Tuesday, January 06, 2026

Unsafe slope homes could trigger next landslide if DBKL fails to audit: Teresa Kok





Seputeh MP Teresa Kok ( third from left) said her recent visits to Taman United had highlighted potential risks associated with homes constructed on sloped terrain. - Facebook pic, January 6, 2026


Unsafe slope homes could trigger next landslide if DBKL fails to audit: Teresa Kok


The Seputeh MP has urged Kuala Lumpur City Hall to conduct a citywide audit of homes on or near slopes, warning that illegal extensions, poor drainage, and weak foundations could trigger another landslide like the 60‑metre collapse at Taman United last year



Sandru Narayanan
Updated 5 hours ago
6 January, 2026
4:00 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR – A citywide audit of houses built on or near slopes should be carried out by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) amid growing concerns over public safety.

Speaking to Scoop, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said her recent visits to Taman United had highlighted potential risks associated with homes constructed on sloped terrain.

“During my visit, I noticed a bungalow that had been extended illegally on a slope,” Teresa said.

“With the landslide that happened there, it became clear that the combination of poor drainage and underground water accumulation could endanger the property and even neighbouring areas.

“The foundation was quite slender. That is why this audit must be done now, before something else happens.”


Seputeh MP, Teresa Kok. – Bernama pic, January 6, 2026


She added that while not all structures directly contribute to landslides, these developments raise concerns that require careful attention.

“Even if the structure itself doesn’t cause a landslide, the situation should prompt caution. Homeowners should get a consultant to conduct a soil test to determine whether their property is safe enough to stay in,” she said.

Teresa also said the situation in areas like Bangsar underscores the need for preventive measures.

“It’s good to be careful, to check what we build and ensure safety. Homeowners also have a responsibility to make sure their homes are secure,” she added.

When asked whether newly appointed Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh should prioritise the issue, Teresa Kok said she was unsure if it should be a top-level focus, noting that the minister has many pressing responsibilities.

“I don’t know if it’s something she should emphasise. Her plate is full, and there are many other issues more important for her to look into. Let her take one step at a time. But raising this issue is important because of incidents like the one at Taman United,” she said.

Teresa also criticised authorities for failing to act on repeated public complaints, particularly in hilly areas.

“Residents of the Taman United flats had on multiple occasions raised concerns about dangerous trees, stagnant drains and slope conditions, but no action was taken. This is not a new issue,” she said, adding that complaints had been channelled through Adu@KL as well as to her office.

She added that residents in her own constituency have not raised complaints about homes on slopes.

“Actually, in my constituency, there aren’t many houses built on slopes, so this hasn’t been a significant problem,” she explained.

Teresa warned that without proper oversight, illegal extensions and poor drainage could lead to more serious incidents.

“What happened at Taman United shows that a house built on a slope, with insufficient drainage and a weak foundation, could pose risks not just to itself but also to nearby areas, hence a citywide audit has to be done as soon as possible,” she said.

The call for greater oversight follows a 60‑metre landslide at Taman United along Jalan Sepadu 7 on November 24 last year, which buried vehicles and prompted the evacuation of residents from 104 housing units in nearby apartment blocks.

The collapse occurred behind Block B of the low-cost Taman United flats, crushing one car and toppling another, though no casualties were reported.

Firefighters and DBKL officers secured the area and relocated evacuees to the Sri Petaling Community Centre amid heavy rainfall and unstable ground conditions.

Authorities have since been monitoring the site and conducting clean-up and slope repair work, with assessments pointing to accumulated rainwater, weakened retaining structures and poor drainage as contributing factors to the slope failure. – January 6, 2026


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