KUALA LUMPUR (July 24): Residents living around Jalan Sri Hartamas 1 in Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur, are worried for their safety after seeing a small sinkhole at the main road grow bigger to block part of the road.

The sinkhole which appeared on Monday (July 20) was initially a small hole, said one of the residents, but after few days of heavy rains, it has become bigger (now measuring about 12ft by 12 ft).

Chairperson of Duta Tropika residents association Camilla Yap told the media that the road condition of Jalan Sri Hartamas 1 has worsened since October 2019, with parts of the road sinking and cracks being seen.

But this is the first time a sinkhole of this size has appeared, she noted, adding that the residents have reported the issue to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) on Monday when they spotted the small hole at the left side of Jalan Sri Hartamas 1 just before the junction leading into the National Registration Department (JPN).

DBKL staff did investigate the area after receiving the report on Monday and a barricade tape and roadblocks have been put up around the sinkhole.

Unfortunately, heavy rains have worsened the condition of the sinkhole.

“DBKL has been touching up and patching up other small holes which appeared previously. Since the underlying issues have caused a sinkhole as big as this, it is not an ordinary incident. We hope that DBKL could conduct a thorough investigation on the cause,” said Yap, who also represents the residents’ association of Duta Nusantara.

Thus far, no accidents caused by the sinkhole has been reported.

Jalan Sri Hartamas 1 is the main access for the Kuala Lumpur Syariah Court, the National Registration Department (JPN) as well as two high-end residential enclaves, Duta Nusantara and Duta Tropika that house semidees, bungalows and villas.

Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh, who visited the site today, urged DBKL to take immediate action to repair the road and investigate the root cause of the incident.

“The sinkhole is close to a busy junction and has caused traffic congestion. If left unattended, it might also cause accidents,” said Yeoh during a media conference here today along with residents of Duta Nusantara and Duta Tropika.

She added that the residents of the two enclaves have written to DBKL, but have yet to get a reply from them.

Last week, it was reported that two sinkholes appeared at Jalan Taman U Thant, Kuala Lumpur and caused damage to road and walls of Residensi 16.

Meanwhile, Yeoh also called for DBKL’s attention on road issues and flood mitigation as roads in the city are heavily used.

“I have been saying this since 2018 that we are not spending enough money to maintain the roads. In Segambut alone, I have seen so many main roads that need resurfacing for the users’ safety.

“More budget needs to be allocated for road repair and resurfacing in Kuala Lumpur in the upcoming Budget 2021,” she added.

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