Minerals and Geoscience Dept: Batang Kali landslide site wasn't listed as a critical slope
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 — The Father's Organic Farm campsite on the Batang Kali-Genting Highlands road where the tragic landslide happened on December 16, was not listed as a “critical” slope, a government official has reportedly said.
The Minerals and Geoscience Department (JMG) director-general Hisamuddin Termidi reportedly said the slope where the landslide had occurred was not among the critical locations under their surveillance.
“It is untrue. It must be stressed that our critical slope monitoring scope is focused on settlement areas and natural slopes, and does not overlap with other stakeholders.
“The slope in the landslide tragedy is not listed as a critical slope,” Hisamuddin was quoted saying in The Star.
Earlier this month, the department had come up with a list of 31 landslide hotspots nationwide following continuous rainy weather conditions.
According to the report, only Cameron Highlands, Fraser’s Hill, Bukit Antarabangsa-Hulu Langat, Kuala Kubu Baru were listed in Pahang and Selangor; Batang Kali was not on the list.
Hishamuddin added that a risk assessment is required when developers apply for planning permission for any development in hilly or sloped areas.
“The developer needs to appoint a professional geologist registered under the Board of Geologists Malaysia to assess the risks of geological landslide disasters,” he said.
The tragic landslide that struck at 2.42am on December 16 took the lives of 31 victims, 18 adults and 13 children. The remaining 61 victims out of 92 reported victims survived.
The search and rescue operation for the victims of the landslide officially ended on Christmas noon, nine days after the landslide happened.
