The two buildings were abandoned since 1993 when one of the three towers collapsed after 10 days of heavy rain, causing the deaths of 48 people.

Taman Sri Ukay Hillview Residents Association president Siti Hendon Chik, who represents more than 1,000 residents in the two housing estates, said the residents were unanimous in seeking the demolition of the two remaining towers.

So long as the empty buildings remain, they would be conducive hideouts for criminals and drug addicts, she said.

She said the residents might take legal action against the landowner for their refusal to demolish the buildings to ensure the safety of the residents as there could still be criminals hiding there.

“Please do something …,” she pleaded in an interview at her home.

On April 12, three of six criminals believed to be robbery suspects were shot dead in a police raid in one of the condominium blocks.

The three other criminals escaped.

Siti Hendon said the shooting incident had instilled more fear in the residents. She said she almost became a victim of criminals herself when robbers attempted to enter her house two years ago.

“Luckily, my security guard saw the two men lurking at the verandah. They fled,” she said.

Another resident, Dr Mohinder Singh, 78, whose house is located close to the the main entrance to the towers, shared Siti Hendon’s views, and urged the landowner to demolish the two remaining buildings.

He said the two abandoned towers were a security risk for nearby residents and hoped that the owner would take immediate action to demolish them.

“That place is a nuisance, from drug addicts now to robbers. How are we going to be safe? It has been 23 years now after the incident (collapse of a tower). They had wanted to demolish the remaining buildings but up to today, the blocks are still there,” he said.

Ampang Jaya Municipal Council president Abd Hamid Hussain said the council would hold a meeting with the bank which owns the land to discuss the issue. He said the meeting was expected to be held within this week and he hoped that there would be a solution to satisfy the needs of the residents.

When asked if the council could force the landowner to demolish the buildings, Abd Hamid said it was not possible unless there was “solid evidence” that the buildings were unsafe and may collapse.

He asked the residents to be patient until the landowner came up with a decision whether to demolish the buildings or not. Attempts by Bernama to contact the bank since Thursday have been futile.

A check at the scene found that a small “door” had been cut into the main gate, giving access to anyone. There is no perimeter fencing around the buildings, which is surrounded by forest and undergrowth.

There are houses within 500 metres of the towers, making them an easy target for criminals hiding there.

– BERNAMA