‘Campsite was unlicensed’

On the scene: Fire and Rescue Department personnel standing by to search for survivors of the landslide in Batang Kali.

HULU SELANGOR: The operator of the campsite where a landslide trapped more than 100 people was only licensed to run an organic farm and had no business allowing people to stay there.

The operator, Father’s Organic Farm, now faces stern action and could be jailed for three years or be hit with a RM50,000 fine.

“The operator filed an application with the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council (MPHS) to begin organic farming activities in 2019, but we believe they began operating the campsite in 2020,” Nga Kor Ming told reporters at the scene yesterday.

The Local Government Development Minister said action would be taken against any operator found hosting such activities without valid licences.

“Those operating such activities without a licence must stop immediately and apply for the licence first,” he said, adding that 150 local authorities had been ordered to clear out campsites for at least seven days.

This, he said, applied to campsites in high-risk areas, including those near rivers, hillslopes or waterfalls.

“The bad weather may go on for another five days and we do not want a repeat of this incident,” he said.

Lucky to be alive: One of the landslide victims receiving medical treatment at the Ulu Yam Baru police station in Hulu Selangor. — Bernama

However, the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKJ) said it was waiting for instructions from the state government to halt the operation of campsite operators.

Council president Najmuddin Jemain said this was because most campsites in Kajang and Hulu Langat were in forested areas, which fell under the purview of the Forestry Department.

“We have not received specific directions, but we are in standby mode for any possibility,” he said.

The Selangor Forestry Department had previously issued a directive that all hiking and recreational activities at permanent forest reserves (HSK) in Selangor must be halted from Nov 1 in anticipation of the rainy season.

The department had issued a notice in October stating that the forest reserves would be closed until Jan 31.

Some of the forest reserves in Selangor include the Kanching Eco Forest Park and Templer Park in Rawang, as well as the Sungai Congkak park in Hulu Langat.

Camping site operators, meanwhile, said they were taking precautions to ensure the safety of campers following the landslide in Batang Kali.

Arzat Khairudin, who operates KV @ Kemensah Valley Recreation and Chalet in Kampung Kemensah, said they had ensured that campsites and chalets near slopes and the river were not rented out.

“So far, we have not been told to close so we are still operating.

“There have been no cases of landslides here and the river is quite shallow, but we are not taking any chances,” he said.

Another campsite operator in Kuala Kubu Baru said they had limited the number of visitors even before yesterday.

“For the past few years, we have only allowed about 60% of total capacity during the rainy season.

“This is so that we can mobilise more easily should something happen,” he said.