Living on high and deadly ground

 

If tragedy happens, victims may not be able to get help

(NST) – CAMERON HIGHLANDS:  MORE than 30,000 people from Kampung Raja right up to Bertam Valley here are living on shaky ground.

Risk analysis obtained by the New Straits Times revealed that at least 17 moderate to densely-populated spots in the stretch were susceptible to landslides, due largely to uncontrolled and indiscriminate land clearing for agricultural activities.

Jalan Tapah-Cameron Highlands, Jalan Tringkap-Kampung Raja, Jalan Blue Valley-Lojing, Jalan Boh Estate Habu, Jalan Sultan Abu Bakar, Jalan Pecah Batu, Batu 33 Shum Yip Leong Estate, the spot behind Tringkap market and Jalan Tanah Rata-Ringlet are among those identified as high-risk zones.

Risk assessments carried out by the authorities also showed that the Trisu Orang Asli settlement, Jalan Tapah near the Perak-Pahang border and Jalan Sungai Palas to Mossy Forest, where the Telekom substation is, and all roads along the rivers here were among the outlying and interior areas that are prone to landslides.

If the unthinkable happens, sources said it would be virtually impossible for first responders to reach the victims in time as the areas would be effectively cut off.

Authorities had also identified threats of flooding and landslides in four densely-populated areas: Kampung Baru Lembah Bertam, Kampung Raja, Ringlet and Kuala Terla.

Recently, debris from land clearing and farming upstream, plus heavily-silted water released from the Sultan Abu Bakar hydroelectric dam, built in 1962, were believed to have caused mud floods that killed three people in Bertam Valley.

At least 80 homes and 100 vehicles were destroyed.

Two years ago, seven people, including a family of three, died in a landslide that hit Kampung Sungai Ruil near Brinchang.

The village is the single largest Orang Asli village in Cameron Highlands with 1,300 villagers.

There seems to be no stopping the farmers, particularly in Bertam Valley, from encroaching on forest land. Almost every nook and corner of the river reserves, and even the roadsides here, are planted with leafy greens. Step out of your vehicle and you’ll see rows and rows of vegetables by your side!

Checks by the New Straits Times also showed clear signs of intensive cultivation atop slopes and forest lands going on unabated in nearby areas, including Ringlet.

At the ill-fated Bertam River where the mud flood occurred, hundreds of black plastic bags, farming equipment, not to mention piles of rubbish washed down by the deluge of mud, water, rocks, earth and debris, could be seen all over the riverbanks — another sign of illegal and extended farming.

“There is nothing much we can do… just too many illegal farms here, especially in Bertam Valley,” said Cameron Highlands Fire and Rescue Department chief Yusry Abdullah Sani at his office in Brinchang.

Land clearings, according to Yusry, who was transferred here in 2011, took place almost every day.

“Sometimes, we get several calls about fire on new parcels of land being cleared in one day. Our officers respond, put out the fire and return back to base. But these farmers or their workers will start burning again almost immediately.

 “Normally, if we return to the same site again, especially  on steep slopes, we will seize the equipment used to clear  land, like cangkul.

 “That is the best we can  do (to help stop illegal land clearings) but within a few weeks or one month, you can see a farm there.”

As the department is involved in recommending licence applications for new premises, Yusry said those from farm owners which did not have a Certificate of Fitness (CF) would not be supported.

“We will recommend to the  agencies or departments not to approve those  applications.”

Since most of the buildings, particularly in Bertam Valley, were heritage ones, they do not have CFs.

Yusry also said while search and rescue efforts for the victims of the recent mud flood had been called off,  small operations involving at least two officers were still  carried out.

“There are many illegal workers here. So, we cannot discount the possibility of more victims.”

Regional Environment Awareness of Cameron Highlands (Reach) president R. Ramakrishnan  claimed that syndicates were prepared to “pay” RM50,000 to get  a  permit to clear land on steep slopes.

Of the sum, he alleged that RM30,000 would go to  officers from the district  land office while the remaining would be kept by the middlemen. He said he had sent a letter to Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission but there was no action.

Many of the slopes cleared had a gradient of more than 25 degrees, which posed a high risk of landslide and soil erosion, he said.
 
Pahang MACC director Moh Samsudin Yusof  said there had been no evidence of corruption involving the district and land officers.

“But we are keeping a close watch on all allegations.”

Those with information  should come forward and furnish  MACC with details.  

Discovered in 1885 by British colonial government surveyor William Cameron, the highlands, with its highest point standing at 1,500m above sea level, was developed as a hill station in 1925. The cool mountain climate was found to be ideal for farming and large tracts of virgin jungles were cleared.