THE Selangor government is working on official guidelines for camping activities in the state following the Batang Kali landslide that claimed 26 lives, said a state official.

Local Government Committee chairman Ng Sze Han said the state will also perform a census to determine the number of sites in Selangor. 

He said it will determine if the sites are in ecologically sensitive areas or are risky for recreational activities. 

“The state government is seeking feedback from stakeholders on recreational and camping activities, such as entrepreneurs, recreational and camping associations and government agencies. 

“These findings will help the state government draw up guidelines so camping and recreational activities can be carried out safely and without harm to any party,” he said today during a press conference. 

Ng said before this, a census had been carried out by the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council (MPHS) based on 2018 records, with 61 campsites identified in the district. 

“These 61 campsites in Hulu Selangor were both licensed and unlicensed, and some were even built on government-owned land. We need to update not only MPHS (records) but throughout the state,” he said.

Ng said the state government is seeking feedback from stakeholders in recreational and camping activities such as entrepreneurs, recreational and camping associations and government agencies.

He said MPHS will call other campsite operators to explain the guidelines for organising safe camping activities.

He noted that every business in the state is being monitored carefully through their business licences, planning orders and building plans, as well as enforcement. 

But he admitted the local governments do not have specific regulations for campsite activities. 

This was because these activities were sub-activities run by the hotel or resort owners. 

The landslide, which occurred at 2.42am on Friday, has so far claimed 26 lives with seven still missing. It was reported that 94 people were involved in the tragedy. 

Search and rescue for the remaining victims resumed at 8am today after it was suspended late last night. – December 21, 2022.