All national parks in Johor closed due to bad weather

JOHOR BARU: Johor has closed all national parks in the state until further notice as part of precautionary measures during the present bad weather brought by the north-east monsoon.

State Forestry Department director Datuk Salim Aman said all forest eco-parks, as well as hiking and four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle tracks in Johor's permanent forest reserves, were closed to the public until further notice.

“The closure notice is issued as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident following the prolonged rainy season,” he said when contacted on Thursday (Jan 26).

He urged the public not to enter these areas as the rainy weather made it dangerous.

“About seven districts have been hit by floods and it is dangerous for people to carry out activities in the areas, which is why we issued the closure notice,” he added.

The closure involved Gunung Berlumut in Kluang, Gunung Bekok in Labis and Gunung Panti in Kota Tinggi.

Also affected are Sungai Batang eco forest park at Bekok, Gunung Pulai in Kulai and Taka Melor in Segamat.

Salim said the department would monitor these areas to ensure there is no violation of the notice.

He added anyone breaching the order could face action under the Johor State Forestry (Utilisation) Enactment 1985.

Meanwhile, the Johor National Parks Corporation (PTNJ) has also closed five of its parks during the monsoon season.

They are the Johor National Parks of Endau-Rompin Peta in Mersing, Endau-Rompin Selai in Segamat, Gunung Ledang (waterfall) in Tangkak, Gunung Ledang (Lagenda) in Tangkak, and Pulau Kukup in Pontian.

“Only Johor National Park Tanjung Piai remains open to the public while the rest are closed until further notice,” a statement from PTNJ read.

It said anyone needing more information on the closure could visit its website at www.johornationalparks.gov.my or call 013-7440961.