Developer mulls compensation for Taman Seri Alam residents over collapse of bund

• Selangor Infrastructure and Agriculture Committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim: "Based on our initial discussions, it seems the developer is open to offering compensation. However, this will be an ex-gratia payment rather than formal compensation."

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 2): The developer of the water retention pond next to the Taman Seri Alam, Saujana Utama, residential area is considering offering ex-gratia (goodwill) compensation to residents affected by the collapse of the bund last Saturday.

Selangor Infrastructure and Agriculture Committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim, said a meeting will be held on Thursday between the developer and representatives of the residents to discuss the compensation amount.

"Based on our initial discussions, it seems the developer is open to offering compensation. However, this will be an ex-gratia payment rather than formal compensation," he said.

"The exact amount will be decided in today’s [Thursday] meeting. I will personally review the matter closely and we will support the residents wherever possible," he told reporters after officiating the opening of the second Ehsan Mart supermarket in Pandan Utama, Ampang here on Thursday.

The Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) or MBI Foundation is also assessing other forms of assistance to support the affected residents. The compensation will be based on the losses suffered by the residents. Efforts are underway to identify technical solutions to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“Long-term measures are also being planned, but short-term actions to address the issue are nearly completed,” he added.

On Tuesday, residents of Taman Seri Alam requested the developer of the water retention pond take responsibility and provide compensation, citing a similar incident in December 2015 that caused a flash flood.

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