Tanah runtuh cetus panik penduduk Pangsapuri Damai Perdana

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Landslide at Kuala Lumpur high-rise sparks panic, displaces 82 residents as authorities scramble to assess safety risks

The landslide—occurring at 8:48 p.m.—sent muddy water surging into the vicinity, though witnesses reported no tremors or building movement, only the sudden collapse of the slope. Muhammad Fitri Abu Seman, 35, who was dining with his grandmother, Anum Shariff, 73, described the moment as one of sudden terror, with residents rushing to call the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) for assistance.

"The calm night turned into chaos when we saw the slope crumbling right in front of us," Fitri said, adding that this was the first such incident at the apartment complex, though landslides have previously affected nearby infrastructure, including a Kajang secondary school.

Authorities acted swiftly, with the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) sealing off the affected slope using canvas barriers to prevent further erosion. Tan Kah Hoe, MPKj’s Zone 6 representative, confirmed that the Joint Management Body (JMB) of Pangsapuri Damai Perdana—still operational—is reviewing insurance policies to determine coverage for the landslide damage.

"The JMB is working with insurers to verify whether this incident falls under existing policies," Tan said, though no official statement on compensation or repairs has been issued.

The evacuation order, affecting Blok D, has left residents in limbo, with some like Muhammad Syakir Nabil Azman, 32, rushing home after receiving frantic calls from family members. Syakir recounted how his wife phoned in distress, reporting screams from neighbors below their units as the landslide unfolded.

"She told me to come back immediately—people were shouting for everyone to leave," he said, adding that no structural damage to the apartment buildings was observed, only muddy water seeping from the collapse site. Residents have also reported disrupted water supply due to the shutdown of main pipes, with local authorities urged to restore services to prevent further panic.

The incident has reignited concerns over urban landslide risks in Selangor, particularly in Kajang, where geological instability has been linked to poor drainage, deforestation, and aging infrastructure. The Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) has not yet commented on whether the landslide was exacerbated by recent heavy rains, though meteorological data for September shows above-average rainfall in the region.

Meanwhile, the Selangor State Government has not issued a formal statement, though local officials are expected to hold an emergency meeting to assess long-term mitigation measures.

For now, displaced residents remain in temporary limbo, with no official relocation orders issued. Fitri, whose family has no immediate plans to leave, called on authorities to prioritize water restoration and transparency on structural safety assessments. "We’re stuck between fear and uncertainty," he said.

"If the slope is unstable, we need to know—if the buildings are safe, we need to get back to normal life." The JMB and MPKj are expected to release a detailed safety report within 48 hours, though no timeline for re-entry has been set.

As of September 24, the focus remains on containment and risk assessment, with geotechnical engineers due to inspect the site. The landslide’s proximity to residential areas has also raised questions about building permits and slope management, particularly given Kajang’s history of geological vulnerabilities. With no further incidents reported overnight, authorities are monitoring the situation closely, though the psychological toll on residents—many of whom described sleepless nights—remains a pressing concern.

The next critical step will be the publication of the JMB’s findings, which could determine whether Pangsapuri Damai Perdana’s residents face prolonged evacuations or costly repairs.