Report on Batang Kali tragedy ready, awaiting feedback from Selangor govt - Nanta

MELAKA - The report on the landslide tragedy in Batang Kali, Selangor last December is ready, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

However, he said the report has yet to be presented to the Cabinet as it is still awaiting feedback from the state government.

He said a report and comments from the relevant state agencies were required as the incident involved a state road.

"At the JKR (Public Works Department) level, our part has been completed. I hope the Selangor government will provide their comments as soon as possible so that the report can be brought to Cabinet meeting,” he told reporters after officiating at the 2023 Malaysia JKR Senior Officials Conference here today.

Also present were Public Works director-general Datuk Ahmad Redza Ghulam Rasool and state JKR director Datuk Ismail Abd Rahman.

Nanta previously said that the report of the landslide tragedy at about 2.30 am on Dec 16, 2022 was expected to be completed at the end of June before being presented to Cabinet to enable further action to be taken by all parties involved.

The landslide at the Father’s Organic Farm in Jalan Genting, Batang Kali claimed the lives of 18 adults and 13 children, while 61 others survived.

Meanwhile, 420 JKR senior officials comprising state and branch directors, state engineers, senior officers and cadre officers took part in the three-day conference starting today.

Cooperation project documents were also signed between JKR and the Malaysian Space Agency, Petronas and Universiti Sains Malaysia.

"We hope this agreement will increase the use of technology that can reduce costs or at least extend the life of the roads built.

"At the same time, we will see collaboration opportunities between the department’s staff and local researchers with industry players for technology exchange efforts and stimulating intellectual development,” Nanta said. - BERNAMA