‘No trace of human intervention’

Tragic trail: The Jalan Batang Kali– Genting Highlands junction heading towards the landslide site. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

PETALING JAYA: The devastating Batang Kali landslide tragedy last year was triggered by rainfall with no evidence indicating that it was caused by human intervention, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister, who chairs the Central Disaster Management Committee, said the investigation into the tragedy found that it was caused by a major cumulative rainfall for a period of five days before the landslide occurred.

“In summary, the results of the forensic analysis found that the rainfall event was the main triggering factor.”

“It is a result of the combination of the amount of major cumulative rainfall for a period of five days and the antecedent rainfall cumulative 30 days before the landslide occurred, which stood at 118.6mm and 444.8mm, respectively.”

This heavy rain, he said, had caused the failure of the slope, resulting in the camping site covering the Hill View, Farm View and River Side areas being buried under soil rubble.

As a result, he said that there had been loss of life and damage to property.

Revisiting the past: Filepic of cars belonging to landslide victims seen at Father’s Organic Farm in Batang Kali. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

On Dec 16 last year, a landslide struck the Father’s Organic Farm campsite along the Batang Kali-Genting stretch in the wee hours of the morning.

There were 31 deaths, while 61 people were rescued.

In a statement yesterday, Ahmad Zahid said that investigations did not find strong evidence showing anthropogenic activity as one of the contributing factors to this landslide event.

Anthropogenic refers to environmental change caused or influenced by people, either directly or indirectly, according to the US Geological Survey.

Following the tragedy, a special committee known as the Landslide Working Group Committee (JKKTR) was set up to carry out an investigation based on the National Slope Master Plan (PICN) 2009-2023 and the decision by Cabinet ministers.

The committee was led by the Slope Engineering Branch, Public Works Department as well as other technical agencies such as the Minerals and Geosciences Department, the Survey and Mapping Department, the Irrigation and Drainage Department, the Meteorological Department (METMalaysia), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and appointed professional bodies.

“The forensic report prepared by JKKTR has been forwarded to the Works Ministry and the Selangor government to be declassified so that the results of the investigation can be accessed by the public.

“The Selangor government agreed to declassify the report on Oct 5, 2023. The report was submitted to the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) on Oct 12 for further action,” he added.