Family asked to move out after retaining wall collapses

MALACCA - A family here was shocked when their property's retaining wall collapsed following a night of heavy rain.

To add salt to the wound, Muslim Mazlan was advised by firemen to move out for his own safety.

"There are cracks on the side of my house and gaps have formed between the ground and the floor," said the 52-year-old businessman yesterday.

Part of the wall, located on higher ground, fell on his bungalow's porch area on Monday.

"The trees in my garden were swaying and it was raining heavily when I wanted to perform subuh prayers," said Muslim as he described the downpour.

"Then I heard a loud thud followed by a tremor at about 8.30am. I rushed downstairs to check and I heard my son shouting from the kitchen.

"I saw that the garden at the back of my house was gone," he said, adding that his wife and four other children, aged between 13 and 23, were also at home during the incident.

Muslim, who has been staying at the house which he built for RM650,000 for the last seven years, claimed that some construction work next door had contributed to the collapse of the retaining wall.

"Luckily, no one was hurt. However, I have lodged a police report," he said, adding that he would have to look for a temporary house.

Concrete and earth from the collapsed wall brought down palm trees and flower pots, and destroyed several aquariums filled with ornamental fish.

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Family asked to move out after retaining wall collapses