THE Selangor Fire and Rescue Department has denied a claim that it has permitted the public or volunteers to participate in search and rescue (SAR) efforts at Father’s Organic Farm camping site, Gohtong Jaya, Batang Kali.

The department, in a statement, said it followed the directive from the National Security Council that only trained rescue personnel from five agencies are allowed to be in the red zone.

The five agencies are the Fire and Rescue Department, police, armed forces, Civil Defence Force and the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team.

“The main aspects taken into account for the rescue personnel are safety, skills and fitness,” it said, adding that the weak soil structure in the zone was at risk of another collapse if it rains.

“This situation requires high alertness and special training such as our readiness to face difficult and unexpected situations, highly skilled rescuers are needed,” read the statement. 

The department issued this statement following a viral photo showing volunteers from civil society groups entering ground zero, claiming that they have been permitted to assist in the SAR operations to locate missing victims.

The operations entered the fourth day today for the remaining nine victims.

A total of 24 victims were confirmed dead while 61 were rescued. – Bernama, December 19, 2022.