* Dec 11, 1993: Block One of the Highland Tower collapses, killing 48 people.

“High-rise buildings should not be allowed on hillsides because of environmental and safety reasons.It is against the Land Conservation Act 1960.”- Former Department of Environmental director-general Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Jaafar.

“The Highland Towers tragedy, the frequency of landslides and floods, demand that we view development in all aspects. The Government will ensure that laws and regulations pertaining to development are abided by all.”- Former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who chaired the Special Cabinet Committee on the Highland Towers tragedy.

“We must not be lulled into a false sense of security and must learn from the Highland Tower tragedy.”- Former Ampang Jaya municipal councillor Fuad Hassan.

* Sep 2, 1996: An avalanche of mud, rocks and uprooted trees hits the Pos Dipang Orang Asli settlement near Kampar, leaving 44 dead.

” Increasing the frequency of surveys in high-risk areas will decrease the chances of tragedy.”- Former Perak Menteri Besar Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib.

* May 15, 1999: several landslides force the evacuation of 1,000 apartment dwellers at Bukit Antarabangsa in Ampang Jaya, Selangor,

“All future development in Bukit Antarabangsa, Ampang Jaya, will be banned.”- Former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Abu Hassan Omar.

“We have done all that we can, including amending the appropriate laws, but the supervision of projects is under the jurisdiction of the State Governments, or in the case the local authorities.”-Former Science, Techonology and Environment Minister Datuk Law Hieng Ding on why the Government could not make Environmental Impact Assessments mandatory of projects on hillside with gradients of between 30 and 40 degrees.

“It is mandatory for all local authorities to implement the guidelines (including banning the cutting of slopes with a gradient of more than 35 degrees) because the Act has been passed by Parliament and adopted by state Governments.”- Former Town and Country Planning Department deputy director-general Datuk Wan Mohamad Mukhtar Md Noor.

* Jan 28, 2002: A landslide at Kampung Ruan Changkung in Simunjan, Kuching, kills 16 people.

“We will study the soil and rock stability on the slopes on the hill at Ruan Changkul.”- Former Natural Resources and Environmental Board Deputy Chairman Dr James Dawos Mamit.

“A task force will be set up to look at other areas that face the threat of landslide in the areas.”- Former Sarawak Social Development and Urbanisation Minister Datuk Seri Dr James Masing.

* Nov 20, 2002: The house of retired general Tan Sri Ismail Omar in Taman Hillview in Hulu Kelang,  Ampang, is flattened by a landslide, killing eight.

“We need a proper study to know whether it is safe or not. The topography, soil and other aspects have to be looked into in any hillside development.”- then Prime Minister Datuk Seri (now Tun) Dr Mahathir Mohammad on the need for a comprehensive study on hillslope development.