Retaining wall in Bukit Gambier collapses (Updated)

GEORGE TOWN (May 29, 2013): A large part of a retention wall at a housing project in Bukit Gambier collapsed after heavy rain on Tuesday night, triggering fears of a major landslide.

In the10.40pm incident some 30m of the 3.5m tall wall near Halaman Bukit Gambier fell, frightening residents.

Company director Jeevan Rajoo, 37, whose house is nearest the wall said: "I heard a loud sound, and I thought it was an earthquake."

When he checked, Jeevan discovered a lamp post had fallen across his sister-in-law's car parked opposite the house.

The retention wall had been built by the developer of an apartment and bungalow housing project nearby.

A spokesman for the developer said remedial work was being carried out on the damaged wall and that the company would pay for repairs to the car.

Yesterday two backhoes started work on the wall.

Seri Delima assemblyman RSN Rayer and Batu Uban assemblyman Dr T. Jayabalan arrived there about 11am to observe the situation.

Jayabalan, told media he and Rayer would investigate why the retaining wall had collapsed and probe illegal land clearing in Bukit Gambier.

"There will be no cover up on this matter," he said, adding that a stop-work order had been issued to the housing project developer two months ago to allow mitigating works to be carried out before construction continued.

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Retaining wall in Bukit Gambier collapses (Updated)