KEPALA BATAS: The Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department has suspended all forest-related activities nationwide as the northeast monsoon sets in, citing heightened risks of floods and landslides.
Its director-general Datuk Zahari Ibrahim said monitoring has been intensified in high-risk zones, including recreational areas and the directive covers hiking, logging and other activities, which will only resume after weather conditions stabilise.
“We halt all activities during the monsoon season,” he told reporters during the handover ceremony of Kampung Angkat Madani and Sekolah Angkat Madani here at Masjid Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Zain on Sunday (Nov 16).
Zahari said the department also relies on alerts from the Meteorological Department and other relevant ministries issuing any suspension orders.
He said to enhance safety, the department deployed early warning systems in several hotspots to detect potential disasters.
He said officers will be alerted immediately when indicators spike, enabling district authorities to respond faster.
He said more early warning systems will be installed nationwide, with priority given to areas facing extreme microclimates and elevated landslide risks.
