IPOH: After a road turned into a "river of mud" following heavy rain in Cameron Highlands, a non-governmental organisation is demanding accountability over such incidents.
Following heavy rain on Monday (April 20), Jalan Besar Ringlet-Tanah Rata near Habu turned into a "river of mud", with brown-coloured water, believed to be from the hills, flowing down the road. Videos of the incident were widely shared on social media.
Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands (Reach) president A. Dilip Martin said authorities must adopt a firmer and more responsible approach when granting approvals for development projects in the area.
"This incident once again raises serious concerns about the approval process for development, particularly land clearing for agriculture on steep and high-risk slopes.
"All relevant authorities also need to ensure stricter enforcement, in order to protect the environment and safeguard the local community," he told The Star on Monday.
"Decisions should not be made loosely or based on discretion alone without considering the long-term consequences.
"When incidents like this occur, there appears to be a lack of accountability and this cannot continue," he added.
Following a three-hour downpour,
Dilip Martin said the highlands is an environmentally-sensitive area, with most slopes classified as Class 1 and 2 categories.
"Why are conditional approvals still being granted despite the known environmental and safety risks, especially in sensitive highland areas?
"Who should be held responsible? Should technical officers or government agencies that approved such high-risk developments be held accountable?" he asked.
"All development applications must be thoroughly assessed through proper site inspections by technical agencies, rather than being approved from offices with conditions that are not effectively monitored," he said.
