‘Early warning systems are vital’

Damage control: Public Works Department personnel laying huge protective plastic sheets at the slope of the landslide site.

HULU SELANGOR: The Batang Kali landslide tragedy has proven that preventive and early warning measures must be set up to prevent future tragedies, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

The Alliance for a Safe Community (Ikatan) chairman said due to the frequent rainy season, early warning systems would be key to prevent a repeat of such disasters.

“During the rainy season, there is bound to be soil movement that could trigger landslides.

“Therefore, it is vital to set up early warning systems at strategic locations, especially high-risk areas, to alert people,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Lee noted that the numerous landslides reported over the past years had proven that there was a serious need to focus on hill maintenance in high-risk areas.

“It has been almost 30 years since the Highland Towers tragedy, but we do not seem to have learned our lesson.

“Numerous landslides have claimed lives and destroyed properties in various parts of the country, but very little proactive action has been taken by the authorities to date.

“What has happened to all the studies, reports and recommendations?

“What we see instead are reactive expressions, promises and action. Don’t we ever learn?” he asked.

Lee noted that thousands of hillslope dwelling units had sprung up in many parts of the country with scant regard for safety.

He claimed that his efforts in advocating for a pre-emptive safety culture for decades had fallen on deaf ears.