'Campsite legislation needed to prevent Batang Kali tragedy recurrence'

PARLIAMENT | The Local Government Development Ministry believes there is a need for legalisation for campsites nationwide following the tragic incident that occurred in Batang Kali, Selangor at the end of last year.

Its deputy minister, Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, said this is to ensure existing campsites meet the operating guidelines as outlined under the Draft Camping Site Planning Guidelines that will be finalised at the end of April.

“For information, the Selangor government has already implemented the legalisation programme for campsite entrepreneurs who operated before March 15.

“Those who are operating now must register with the local authorities to obtain a temporary building permit to operate, but we need to give them time and, in the case of Selangor, they are given two years to meet the conditions stipulated in the guidelines,” he said during the question and answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was replying to a supplementary question by Gobind Singh Deo (Pakatan Harapan-Damansara) on the ministry’s action against existing campsite operators to ensure they meet the guidelines that will be finalised later.

As such, Akmal (above) hoped that other state governments can carry out a similar legalisation process to ensure campsites are safe for use.

Replying to Gobind’s original question on the Draft Camping Site Planning Guidelines, Akmal said it focuses on basic camping activities, which is camping that uses tents set up in a natural area with minimal basic facilities as well as equipment and food that participants need to bring themselves.

He said among the important aspects related to the planning and control of the suitability of the camping site outlined is the safety of the site by determining the appropriate distance from prohibited and environmentally sensitive areas, the topographical conditions and the appropriate degree of gradient and the structural strength of the soil.

“It is hoped that with the guidelines to be provided later, aspects related to safety, comfort and nature conservation will be given attention in the planning of campsites so that incidents like the Batang Kali tragedy can be avoided,” he said.

- Bernama