STAKEHOLDERS in Selangor are warning the public not to litter at tourist and leisure spots as “revenge tourism” takes place after movement restrictions were relaxed on September 10.

Photos on social media have shown beaches, waterfalls and recreational sites littered with trash as well as crowds of visitors.

Selangor Tourism and Environment Committee chairman Hee Loy Sian told The Malaysian Insight that under phase two of the national recovery plan, hiking and jungle trekking are still prohibited.

“Despite this, large numbers of people flocked to waterfalls in forest reserve areas to bathe and have picnics, and left a lot of rubbish behind,” he said.

The Selangor forestry department does not have enough manpower to patrol these areas, he said, noting that these people were trespassing.

“This is the biggest problem we are facing now. For coastal or seaside locations, it is easy to monitor the situation (on the compliance with standard operating procedures), but not for the forest areas,” he said.

Malaysian Nature Society president Prof Dr Ahmad Ismail called on the government and other agencies such as the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and local governments to come up with stricter regulations.

He said this will reduce the problem of pollution.

He reminded tourists to take the trash, including used masks, back with them.

Videos circulated on social media have shown visitors flocking to nature sites over the weekend after more outdoor activities were allowed as Selangor and the rest of the Klang Valley moved to phase two of the national recovery plan. Inter-district travel within the state and local tourism are also allowed now.

The tourist spots included the Sg Pisang waterfall, which was crowded and badly littered. The visitors were also not wearing a mask.

A post by a popular recreational group on Facebook, Friends of Bukit Gasing (FOBG), has warned that not all nature sites in the state are open to the public just because movement restrictions have been eased.

It posted a list of parks where walking and hiking are allowed as well as those managed by the Selangor forestry department that remain closed. These are forest reserves and permits are required for visits even when they reopen.

FOBG also warned of hefty fines by the authorities for trespassing and reminded visitors not leave rubbish behind.

“If you see people hiking at (closed) places, it does not mean it is legal. Let’s not mess this freedom up,” it said.

Another popular tourist spot in Selangor is Sekinchan, the state’s rice-growing area.

Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim said the area has been spared of litter as there is proper control.

He said many people have come Sekinchan to visit their relatives following the easing of movement restrictions.

“This situation is unavoidable. After all, we have been under the movement-control order for more than three months. Everyone wants a breath of fresh air,” he said.

Ng said the Sekinchan Redang beach, one of the area’s attractions, has a volunteer team to ensure SOP compliance as well as carry out beach cleaning.

“This team will advise those who are not wearing a mask to put on one,” he said.

Masks are still mandatory in public.

Ng said Sekinchan has always been a well-planned tourist area and is able to cope with the influx of visitors.

“I hope that all people in Selangor will follow the SOP when they go out for leisure. And we must all be responsible and civilised to ensure environmental cleanliness. Only when we cooperate with each other can we reduce the problem and truly enjoy leisure,” he said.

Sepang municipal councillor Suah Chee Hiong said after the relaxation, there are indeed more crowds on the beach on weekends.

“I also observed that when restaurants were not open for dine-ins, people threw their takeaway packages everywhere,” he said.

“But now that dine-ins are allowed, the rubbish problem is slightly reduced.” – September 25, 2021.