Stop development at Cameron Highlands' steep hillslopes now, Pahang govt urged

IPOH: The Pahang government has been urged to stop allowing development to be conducted on hillslopes with steep inclines at Cameron Highlands.

Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands president A. Dilip Martin said the state can prevent unwanted disasters like landslides if projects were not allowed to be conducted at these locations.

"The landslide was an unforeseen disaster but we urge and plead with the state government, the Cameron Highlands Development Corporation (PKCH), Cameron Highlands District Council and the Environment Department to cancel projects near forest reserve areas, especially those exceeding a 90-degree incline.

"We also request the state government to freeze land tax grants for state land designated for agriculture and mixed development purposes," he told The Star.

"Most of the available land now is on hills with over 90-degree inclines and near residential areas, so it's very dangerous and chances of disasters happening are also high," he said.

"Five foreign nationals have lost their lives, and without serious attention, folk at Cameron Highlands may also face a similar fate.

"We are also appealing to the federal government to play a crucial role in safeguarding and preserving the environmental sustainability of Cameron Highlands," he added

On Friday (Jan 26) morning, a landslide hit Blue Valley in Cameron Highlands, burying a house with five Myanmar nationals.

The bodies of three victims have been found, while the search for the three others was ongoing.

This was the second landslide at the highlands this year, with the first that occurred about a week earlier at Jalan Boh Habu C156.