KUALA LUMPUR - The majority of slope failures in Malaysia occur on man-made slopes such as cut slopes and embankments, renowned geologist Dr Tajul Anuar Jamaluddin said today.

"Since the 1970s, there have been more than 500 incidents of slope failure in the country, and most have occurred on such slopes according to the Slopes Masterplan Report from the Public Works Department.

 "I believe that many times, there is no supervision during construction so even if there's good design and planning it'll be useless without good supervision," he said at the Institute of Geology Malaysia Conference and Exhibition 2013 today.

Tajul also reiterated the importance of obtaining the advice of professional geologists when conducting slope investigations.

"It cannot be denied that slope failure is a natural process that can occur from geological conditions or physical processes such as intensive rainfall.

"We therefore cannot stop geological processes or population growth and expansion, so we must try to mitigate risks through the involvement of qualified geologists and integrate expertise from all relevant technical fields," he said.

Sabah minerals and geosciences department director general Alexander Yan said areas susceptible to landslides became a threat when improper or incompatible development was sited there.

Citing many causes of landslides, he said human activities that could trigger soil movement included excavation, mining, slope cutting and deforestation.

"Therefore it is imperative that there is total avoidance of landslide hazard areas or restriction, prohibition or imposition of conditions for hazard zone activity," he said.