Slope at Father’s Organic Farm not under ‘critical’ list, says official

 

The landslide at the Father’s Organic Farm in Batang Kali claimed 31 lives, with 61 people rescued. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The minerals and geoscience department has dismissed media reports stating that the slope at the Father’s Organic Farm where the Batang Kali landslide occurred was on its “critical” list.

Its director-general Hisamuddin Termidi stressed that the slope where the tragedy happened on Dec 16 was not under its surveillance.

“The slope where the landslide occurred at the Father’s Organic Farm campsite is not listed as a ‘critical’ slope that requires monitoring by the department,” he said in a statement.

Hisamuddin added that the department’s focus in monitoring slopes was primarily on settlement areas and natural slopes, and those which do not overlap with the monitoring carried out by other authorities.

With respect to new settlements or new development proposals in hillside areas and near slopes, Hisamudin said it was part of the risk assessment that is carried out for any planning permission.

“On risks related to landslides, developers are required to appoint a professional geologist to make an assessment. The geologist must also be registered under the Board of Geologists Malaysia,” he said.

The landslide that struck at 2.42am on Dec 16 claimed 31 lives, with 61 people rescued.

The search and rescue (SAR) operation involved the cooperation of 250 personnel from five main agencies — the police, the armed forces, the fire department, the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team, and the Civil Defence Force.

The last body belonging to an 11-year-old boy was found on Dec 24. - FMT