PUTRAJAYA - ALL hillside projects on Class IV slopes - with gradients above 35 degrees - in Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya have been banned.

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique said all development on Class III slopes - with gradients between 26 degrees and 35 degrees - have been temporarily frozen until a perfect planning, design and monitoring system is put in place and enforced by the Government.

'Developers of ongoing projects will be held responsible for carrying out soil stabilising works and building proper drainage systems to ensure public safety,' he told a press conference here on Friday.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Putrajaya Corporation and Labuan Corporation have been directed to implement long-term measures like enforcing scheduled checks and establishing a unit to monitor landslide and sinkhole-prone areas.

Under Section 85A of the Road, Drainage and Buildings Act 1974 (Act 133) property owners of buildings more than five storeys high with the approval to occupy the premises for more than 10 years are to carry out scheduled checks to ensure they were safe for occupation.

'This will first come into force for buildings on hillslopes and former mines,' said Mr Zulhasnan. -- THE STAR