Preventing another predictable tragedy

The Batang Kali landslide in December 2022, which claimed 31 lives, should have been a national turning point. It exposed the deadly consequences of treating risk management and public safety as afterthoughts. Yet the deaths that followed suggest that those lessons have not been translated into consistent prevention. The central failure is a continued reliance on visitors to recognise dangers that authorities and site operators should anticipate, monitor and control.

In June 2023, two people drowned after being swept away by a sudden water surge at the Kampung Orang Asli Pertak waterfall. In May 2024, a father and his two children drowned during a picnic at Sungai Balak. On November 9, 2026, another incident occurred at Sungai Pertak, where five bodies were recovered, and three foreign nationals remained missing.

My deepest condolences go to the families who lost loved ones, and we must acknowledge the tremendous efforts of the Fire and Rescue Department. But we must confront a fundamental question: Why do these incidents keep happening, and what more can be done to prevent them?

Rivers and waterfalls are increasingly popular among tourists seeking recreation, but the environment can conceal serious dangers. A river may appear calm, but upstream rainfall can raise water levels within minutes. Personal responsibility matters, but expecting holidaymakers to manage environmental hazards themselves is unrealistic.

High-risk areas require a proactive, integrated system, not warning boards alone. Authorities should map vulnerable river stretches using historical data and flood risks. Suitable locations should have automated early-warning systems, including rainfall gauges, upstream river-level sensors, sirens, and public-address systems to direct evacuations.

Physical access controls are equally important. Prohibit camping beside vulnerable riverbanks during danger periods. Enforce clearly marked exclusion zones, barriers, and temporary closures during heavy rainfall.

Accountability must also be clear. Local authorities, forestry departments, landowners and operators should coordinate to ensure compliance. Operators must conduct risk assessments, maintain emergency communication and provide safety information in multiple languages. Unlicensed operations in hazard zones should be investigated and dealt with under the law.

Safety performance should not be measured by how efficiently victims are rescued, but by how many lives are protected before tragedy strikes. The recurring incidents in Hulu Selangor warrant a comprehensive review involving federal and state authorities, local councils, the Fire and Rescue Department, irrigation and forestry agencies, and tourism operators.

There is also an economic dimension. Visitors must have confidence that recreational attractions are managed responsibly. The loss of lives is too high a price to pay. Prevention means anticipating dangers, restricting access when necessary, providing timely alerts and enforcing safety standards before lives are lost.

Ultimately, a holiday should create lasting memories, not become a family’s worst nightmare. How many more lives must be lost before prevention becomes our priority?

CHIN YEW SIN

Safety and Health Advocate