Perak govt identifies 239 high-risk hillslopes in state

IPOH: Some 239 hillslopes in Perak have been identified as high-risk areas, says Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

The state infrastructure committee chairman said these are mostly along Jalan Tapah-Cameron Highlands (FT59), Jalan Baling-Gerik (FT4) or the East West Highway and Jalan Simpang Pulai - Blue Valley (FT185).

Mohammad Nizar said there were 128 of these spots along FT59, 40 on FT4 and 26 on FT185," he said in a press conference before the state assembly sitting here on Monday (Dec 19).

"The other areas include Jalan Kuala Kangsar - Gerik - Pengkalan Hulu, Jalan Lepang Nenering, the road at Bukit Kledang and at Bukit Larut," he said.

Mohammad Nizar said the state is sad over the landslide incident at Batang Kali, where 24 people have been confirmed to have been killed.

"We take this as a lesson to ensure nothing similar will happen in Perak," he said. I have instructed the state Public Works Department (JKR) to monitor the situation, especially during the current monsoon season," he added.

He also urged motorists to be vigilant while using roads with hillslopes.

"The JKR has already installed warning sensors in these high-risk locations that will alert them should there be any soil movement. As of now, there are no locations that could cause an incident like what happened at Batang Kali," he added.