Kampung Raja at risk of landslide, state rep calls for Nik Nazmi's intervention

Tanah Rata state assemblyperson Ho Chi Yang has called upon Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad to make a public Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report on land clearing activities in Kampung Raja, Cameron Highlands - a village at risk of landslides and mud floods.

He said not only will the report shed light on any possible illegal clearing projects, but it will also help ease the residents’ heightened worries as many of them fear that a similar disaster such as the Batang Kali tragedy will befall them.

“This will allow the public to read the reports in order to understand and ascertain whether Kampung Raja is still safe,” said the assemblyperson in a statement today.

Ho said a hilltop’s slope close to the village is worsening day by day from a mixture of land clearing activities and heavy rain.

In December alone, Kampung Raja residents suffered four mud floods, where the most recent one happened on Dec 20.

Ho stated that on top of the residents’ financial losses caused by the occurring floods, they are now plagued by fear.

“The Kampung Raja residents have sleepless nights due to the mud floods and the possible landslide crisis.

“Many residents have confirmed that Kampung Raja never experienced any mud floods until the recent month, hence proving that the land clearing is the sole factor that led to the crisis,” he added.

Furthermore, Ho stated that the Minerals and Geoscience Department investigated the land-clearing site near the village a few months ago but no public reports were ever released.

Promote transparency

In the same development, Ho welcomed a pledge Nik Nazmi made yesterday (Dec 31) where he stated that he will promote transparency within the ministry, which includes allowing public scrutiny on EIA reports.

He said the minister’s promised openness can strengthen the government’s accountability system, push forward professional policy-making processes based on data and information, and encourage citizens to participate in democratic processes.

Ho has also called for the government to invoke laws, similar to the Land Conservation Act 1960 and the Environmental Quality Act 1974, to revoke land clearing permits and take legal action against irresponsible permit holders.

“The government and the ministry should instruct its agencies to immediately make EIA reports or other relevant technical reports to the public.

“At the same time, the government should instruct other relevant agencies to intervene hastily and commence repair works as well as to take strict actions against the perpetrators,” the assemblyperson concluded.

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