Govt to help rebuild orphanage at safe location

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak says an allocation will be set aside to rebuild the landslide-hit orphanage.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said today the government would provide an allocation to rebuild the landslide-damaged orphanage in Hulu Langat at a safe location.

He said the government would discuss the matter with the administrator of the Rumah Anak-anak Yatim dan Anak-anak Hidayah Madrasah Al-Taqwa which was hit by the landslide that claimed 16 lives last Saturday.

“We will determine the quantum of allocation and the location soon,” he told reporters after a visit to the site of the landslide in Hulu Langat near here.

Twenty-five people were trapped in the rubble of the landslide, but nine of them were rescued.

Najib, who was accompanied by his wife Rosmah Mansor, had just returned from a working visit to the United States.

The prime minister handed over RM10,000 to the next-of-kin of each of the 16 people who died in the tragedy.

He said the government would also donate RM10,000 to each of the nine injured victims soon.

The Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) also donated RM2,000 to the next-of-kin of each of the victims.

The Badan Amal dan Kasih Negeri Selangor (Kasih) donated RM10,000 and the Taqwa Foundation of the Federal Territory Islamic Council donated RM42,000 to the orphanage.

Najib said the tragedy could have been averted if the management of the orphanage had adhered to the guidelines.

He also said that there were enforcement weaknesses, especially on the part of the local authorities to inform the people of the risk of landslides.

There had been minor soil movements in the area, the signs indicative of a landslide, he said.

“Based on satellite images, there had been landslips near the building, with the earth displaced equivalent to 30 lorry loads, besides tilting trees and cracks on the building,” he said.

Asked whether the government would take more stern action against landowners who were reluctant to move despite their land being classified as risky, Najib said it was a question of choice.

“Maybe their land is most valuable and is the only property that they own. So long as there is no disaster, they are not prepared to do anything to adhere to the guidelines,” he said.

Najib said landowners should be prepared to sacrifice a little, but unfortunately many of them were not willing to do so.

-Bernama