Non-EIA sanctioned farming project likely cause of Cameron Highlands mudslide in Dec 2022, minister reveals
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 10 — The mudslide that inundated parts of Kampung Raja in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, in December last year was likely caused by a nearby farming project that has yet to be approved by the Environmental Department, Minister of Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad revealed today.
Official investigation carried out by the Environmental Department (JAS) to establish the cause of the mud floods found that the project developer did not carry out any environmental impact assessment (EIA) nor had an application been submitted for one, the minister said in a statement.
The land, spreading over six hectares and “given” to the developer in August 2021, is adjacent to the village hit by the floods that damaged homes and other properties.
Nik Nazmi said investigations showed that the land was used for farming activities that were carried out without approval.
The slopes of the area are also known to be landslide-prone, designated by the Pahang Mineral and Geoscience Department as medium-dangerous, the minister revealed.
“Approval of the EIA report is a crucial input in the planning process and a decision to approve a project by the regulator. In this matter, the project was approved without the EIA and JAS involvement,” he said.
“As such, the JAS has acted under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 to issue a Directive Notice under Section 31 and 37 (instructing the project developer) to stop all site works until an EIA is obtained. The developer was also directed to conduct remedial actions to prevent mud floods.
“Investigation papers will also be opened for the purpose of prosecution in court.”
Kampung Raja in Cameron Highlands, a popular tourist spot, had already been inundated by floods and mudslides twice before the most recent one in December 2021.
All three incidents happened in the span of just four months, with the JAS probe indicating that they were all likely caused by the same project.
Last month’s floods had prompted Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to issue a stern call for all hill-slope development projects in Cameron Highlands to be reviewed.
Nik Nazmi said his ministry will establish a task force to “monitor” all developments in slope areas around Cameron Highlands and federal and state environmental agencies have been mobilised to conduct periodical assessment of slope and soil safety.
Currently, there are 16 projects within the district that had received EIA approvals.
