Campsite operator: Can't apply for licence that doesn't exist

The operator of the campsite at Father’s Organic Farm in Batang Kali, Selangor that was hit by a deadly landslide last Friday has said he could not apply for a campsite licence because such a permit does not exist.

At a press conference held in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, campsite spokesperson Frankie Tan said he was told by various government entities, including the Agriculture Department, that there is no such licence the campsite operator could apply for.

“I once asked the officer if we need to apply for a campsite licence. The officer said there is no such thing as a permit because the campsite is not a permanent structure like a hotel, so there is no licence to apply for.

“It is not that we don’t want to apply but there is no way for us to apply for one.

“This is how we started (the organic farm). That’s why (we) said it was tough. Many departments said cannot apply because there is no such licence,” he said.

In the incident at about 2.42am on Dec 16, a landslide nearly 300m long and 70m high hit the campsite at Jalan Genting-Batang Kali. Twenty-four were killed while nine victims are still missing. A total of 61 victims have been rescued.

The campsite operator and staff were summoned for a police investigation on Dec 18.

Prior to this, Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming said the campsite was operating without a licence from the Hulu Selangor district council.

Malaysiakini has texted Nga for comment.

Landslide started 2-3km away

“As the operator, we would not shirk our responsibilities,” stressed Tan.

“I would like to explain the landslide incident, the crush of soil did not start in our campsite but on government land and a roadside that is 2-3km away from our site,” he said, stressing that the landslide area was an undeveloped forest.

He said he was unaware of the area being classified as a high-risk area.

Starting as an organic farm, Tan said he only started to provide camping services in 2017 following requests made by visitors.

-Mkini