THE one-year closure of the B66 Batang Kali-Genting Highlands road following the landslide tragedy at the Father’s Organic Farm has caused concern and anxiety among many parties, especially traders and hoteliers in Batang Kali, as well as from those who commute daily using the road to their workplaces in Genting Highlands.

Batang Kali, a town located in Hulu Selangor and close to the junction leading to the country’s main resort, is described by the locals as an “RnR town” as it serves as a place for travellers to stop for meals or stay temporarily before continuing their journey to the northern states, or to Terengganu or Kelantan via Genting Highlands. 

The manager of a hotel here, Riduan Adnan, when contacted by Bernama, said the road served as an alternative route for motorists from the north who exit through the Tanjung Malim toll to the east coast, and vice versa, through Genting Highlands. 

Riduan, who has been staying in Batang Kali since 2012, said the hotel he is working with is popular, particularly among locals and especially during the school holidays, since the hotel rate in Genting Highlands is quite expensive. 

“Batang Kali is one of the most ‘alive’ towns in Hulu Selangor, making it a popular transit location or stopover for those who want to go for a holiday to Genting Highlands but with limited budgets.

“That’s why many choose to stop by and stay in this town – its close distance to Genting Highlands, which is about half an hour drive away, in addition to food prices here being cheaper,” he said. 

An observation by Bernama found that Batang Kali, although just a small town, has many facilities, such as gas stations, banks, budget hotels, fast food outlets, and Malay food restaurants, that offer relatively cheap prices.

Riduan said the effect of the road closure may not yet be felt, but would soon lead to the closure of many businesses as the number of people arriving or passing through the town decreases due to the road closure for slope repair works. 

Public Works Ministry secretary-general Wan Ahmad Uzir Wan Sulaiman on Tuesday was reported as saying the Batang Kali-Genting Highlands road will be closed for a year for slope rehabilitation works. 

Following the closure, users can use the alternative route – B113 Jalan Batang Kali-Ulu Yam up to B23 Jalan Ulu Yam-Batu Caves – or the main route (FT1001 Jalan Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh). 

Restaurant owner Mohd Yasin Abu Bakar, also expressed concern about his business with the lengthy closure of the road. 

“My restaurant serves as a stopover for people to eat, especially those coming down from or going up to Genting Highlands. I hope the government will think of a solution to this because we, the traders, also need to think about various costs to be paid, such as salaries and so on,” he said. 

Those interviewed said the alternative route takes longer, stretching a distance of 90km, or more than an hour and a half, to reach Genting Highlands, compared with about 30 minutes on a 30km journey via the now-closed road. 

One Facebook user, Nurul Amyra, said the alternative route is too far as she has to go through Gombak to go to Genting Highlands for work, while another user called Siti Noor Rahimaniza suggested that the authorities allow workers at the resort to continue to use the Batang Kali-Genting Highlands road.

“Open the road for Genting staff only… Get the employer to write a letter and the police to set up a checkpoint at the Batang Kali junction… Do it like during the MCO (movement control order)... Only the workers can use the road,” said Siti Noor.

There are also suggestions from residents in the area for the government to give flexibility to light vehicles, such as motorcycles, to use the road for the convenience of residents in Batang Kali working in Genting Highlands.

Following the road closure, it was learnt that there are workers at the resort who have been forced to find temporary accommodation in Genting Highlands or stay in hostels provided by their employers.

Meanwhile, Batang Kali assemblyman Harumaini Omar when contacted by Bernama said he would discuss the matter with relevant agencies, such as the District Office, Public Works Department, police, Fire and Rescue Department, and Hulu Selangor Municipal Council. 

“We will discuss to find the best and safest solution and method for road users, especially for those who work in Genting Highlands,” he said. 

Yesterday, which was the seventh day of the search for landslide victims at the campsite of Father’s Organic Farm, Gohtong Jaya, near Batang Kali, only one more victim, a boy, has yet to be found. 

The latest information was obtained after police confirmed the total number of victims involved is 92 and not 94, as earlier deduced. 

With the latest development, this brings the total number of survivors to 61, while 30 were found dead, including four bodies recovered yesterday. – Bernama, December 23, 2022.