Landslide: Campsite operating illegally

HULU SELANGOR - The campsite operator involved in the landslide incident at Jalan Batang Kali-Gohtong Jaya, here has not obtained a permit as a site for camping activities.

Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming said that no licences had been approved by the Hulu Selangor Corporation Council for the campsite’s operator.

"This is an offence under the Road Drainage and Building Act 1974 (133) and if found guilty can be jailed for three years or fined not exceeding RM50,000," he said at a press conference when visiting the scene of the incident.

Nga said that the entrepreneur involved only obtained permission to occupy (KM) for the purpose of organic vegetable crops plantation.

However, he explained that any camping activity did not get approval from the local authority.

"I advise entrepreneurs who want to carry out camping activities in risky areas to get advice from the Minerals and Geo Sciences Malaysia Department," he said.

He stressed that strict action would be taken against those who violated the law.

He said all local authorities had been instructed to ensure that any risky activities whether on hillsides, waterfalls and risky campsites were evacuated for seven days throughout the country.

"The government will monitor the weather conditions and work with the Malaysian Meteorological Department to get an accurate forecast," he said.