This article lists important figures and events in Malaysian public affairs during the year 1993, together with births and deaths of notable Malaysians. The deadliest structural failure in Malaysian history occurred when an apartment block in Selangor collapsed, killing 48 people on 11 December.
11 December – Highland Towers collapse : Block A of Highland Towers apartments suddenly collapsed at 13:35 MST (UTC+8:00) in Hillview Park, Hulu Kelang, Selangor. 48 people died and two people survived. This incident became the deadliest structural failure in Malaysian history.[2]
A witness was talking to friends after getting back from work, felt a shaking and suddenly a big rock rolled toward her. Another witnesses said she heard a loud noise like a "metal shot" at 1.30pm from the back of block A.
124 members of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) and about 30 soldiers and engineers from the Batu Cantonment Camp and the Wardieburn Camp help aided the search and rescue. Hundreds of police, firefighters and rescue teams from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), and PBSMM volunteers arrived early.
Rescue teams saw a stick of wood coming out of the rubble and begging. The maid of a condominium resident in Level 7, Umi Rashidah Khoruman, 22, and his son Nur Hamidah Najib, 18 months, were rescued. The two were the only survivors from the collapsed building.
Nakajima Shizue, a Japanese citizen was also rescued from the ruins but she died at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) at 12 midnight. Dr Shahrum Abdul Wahid from HKL said Nakajima suffered severe bleeding.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and many cabinet ministers visited the site.
Malaysia was only formed on September 16, 1963. Prior to that date, Peninsular Malaysia was known as Malaya, Sarawak under Crown Colony of Sarawak and Kingdom of Sarawak and Sabah under North Borneo.
