The Public Works Department (JKR) has refused to hand over its Bukit Antarabangsa landslide report to the Selangor government to the chagrin of Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

This has resulted in Abdul Khalid not being able to announce the next course of action as scheduled tomorrow.

first 100 days khalid ibrahim interview 160608 01 Abdul Khalid said that JKR had previously agreed to provide the report to the state government to allow him to make an announcement on the status of the housing area in Bukit Antarabangsa.

"But the JKR has informed today that it will not be providing the report. This is puzzling and regrettable as it would make it difficult for the state to make a decision on behalf the victims," he said.

He said that the JKR's action in ignoring the state government would only be detrimental to the victims.

However he said that he would still be announcing the next course of action as soon as he receives the report from JKR.

According to sources, PWD revealed its decision on the matter to the state government this afternoon.

However, the department did not provide a detailed explanation on its refusal apart from stating that "there were too many implications" if the report is handed to Abdul Khalid.

Disturbingly partisan

Meanwhile, the state exco member Elizabeth Wong said that JKR had pledged to send the report to the state government during a closed-door meeting with affected residents and families of the deceased on Dec 14.

pr exco meeting on tourism 150508 elizabeth wong She said that it was disappointing that the state was informed today that a ministerial order has been given to deny the Selangor government of this initial assessment report today.

"We have been told that the information is only for the eyes of the Works Minister and that only after the minister makes his announcement, then would the Selangor government be allowed to view the report.

"It is further disconcerting to be informed that one of 'reasons' given was that because the report was funded by the federal government, thus it would be for their eyes only until they 'allow' us to view it.

"I find this attitude is repugnant and disturbingly partisan," she said in a statement.

Wong, in charge of tourism, consumer affairs and the environment, said both the Works Minister and the Selangor government have a right to the information contained in the initial assessment report.

"I urge the works minister to release the report to the Selangor government without further delay so that we are able to have enough time to study the report and to honour our collective pledge to the people of Bukit Antarabangsa," she added.

Promise given during dialogue

It is believed that Works Minister Mohd Zin Mohamad would announce the report tomorrow after it is tabled before the cabinet.

bukit anatarabangsa landslide pdrm aerial photographs 101208 03 The New Straits Times today reported Abdul Khalid as saying that the state government is expected to make an announcement on the safety of Bukit Antarabangsa after going through the report from PWD and the Public Works Institute of Malaysia (Ikram)

"We are waiting for the report from PWD, geologists and Ikram,"

The massive landslide in the Bukit Antarabangsa area on Dec 16 left four people dead and destroyed 14 bungalows in Taman Bukit Mewah and Taman Bukit Utama.

Following this, Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Chuan said there were no indications of human negligence as the cause of the incident.