KUALA LUMPUR – Just days after Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) issued a stop-work order on a hillside development, Jalan Abang Haji Openg in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) has suffered another flash flood and surge of muddy runoff.
The latest incident comes in the wake of a severe mudslide on April 18, 2026, which residents described as the worst in half a century.
Following that disaster, DBKL ordered an immediate halt to all work at the RM6 million National Landscape Department (JLN) project and issued a compound notice to the contractor.
Mitigation measures prove insufficient
Despite the establishment of an on-site command centre and the deployment of additional machinery from the Public Works Department (JKR) to accelerate remedial efforts, heavy rainfall today once again sent mud cascading into residential streets.
TTDI Residents Association spokesperson Khairudin Rahim shared video footage showing a “fast-moving waterfall” of murky water sweeping towards residents’ porches.
He also added that earlier, mature trees were removed despite protests from residents.
“It became 100% exposed bare soil on a steep hill slope. The site had no more natural vegetation to absorb rain,” he explained further.
“The residents had earlier repeatedly warned [the authorities]. To JLN, JKR, and their shoddy engineers and contractors, shame on you. You get an A++ for ‘Epic Failures.’”
In a another call, Khairudin emphasised that DBKL has made the right step in issuing the stop work order, saying “the mayor did the right thing”.
Investigation and contributing factors
Preliminary investigations into the April 18 mudslide by Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi found that intense rainfall had breached a soil bund at the site. The inquiry also revealed that utility pipes running across public drains had reduced hydraulic flow capacity, worsening the overflow.
Although emergency works—including the construction of a third erosion and sediment control pond and the installation of 200 metres of geotextile concrete barriers—were underway, today’s flooding suggests the measures were too late to withstand ongoing monsoon rains.
Policy changes under consideration
Repeated failures at the Bukit Kiara Federal Park Administrative Zone project have triggered a full review of slope development guidelines.
Mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud said DBKL will no longer allow high-risk slope projects to proceed “in one go,” insisting they be implemented in carefully managed phases.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh previously confirmed that all slope developments surrounding Bukit Kiara Federal Park—a critical green lung that residents argue should have been preserved as a natural flood barrier—will be reassessed to prevent further risks to life and property.
With rainfall continuing, authorities are prioritising the safety of pupils at the nearby SK Taman Tun Dr Ismail 2, located directly opposite the project site. – April 20, 2026