Changes to law will allow checks on hillslope buildings

PUTRAJAYA: Laws will be amended to allow local authorities to conduct scheduled checks on buildings at hillslopes for early detection of underground movements.

With amendments to the Street, Drainage and Building Act by year end, local governments will have the authority to enter and inspect the grounds of private properties and residential buildings.

This was decided at the Local Government Council meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail here yesterday.

She said presently, officials have no power to enter compounds of buildings at hillslopes to carry out such checks.

“We hope that if periodic inspections can be done on hillslopes and structures on it, untoward incidents such as landslides can be prevented,” she told reporters later.

She said if an area was too dangerous to be occupied, the authority could advise the people concerned to vacate.

Amendments to the Act would also make it compulsory for hillside developments with slopes of over 25 degrees to present a geotechnical report to ensure the safety of the structure.

Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said the meeting also decided that starting next year, hotels rated three-star and above must install a biodigester to manage their food waste.

“This will help ensure that hotel operations are environmentally friendly.

“With the use of the biodigester, food wastes can be used as compost to fertilise plants within the hotel premises,” she added.

“It will also help ensure cleanliness at the hotel grounds.”