GUIDELINES for campsite operators in Selangor are ready, said former Selangor local government committee chairman Ng Sze Han, months after a landslide killed 31 people in Batang Kali. 

He said they were waiting to streamline their instructions with the Town and Country Planning Department guidelines, which are also in progress. 

Ng, however, said noting the urgency of campsite owners applying for licenses, especially in Hulu Selangor, they could start implementing the guidelines soon. 

“The Selangor exco meeting last week has decided that local councils (PBT) can start to adopt and use the state-ready guidelines. 

“This includes the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council (MPHS), which then can be followed by other PBTs that are ready to adopt and implement the guidelines,” he told The Malaysian Insight. 

MPHS should be implementing the guidelines soon on campsite operators in the area. 

On plans to make the guidelines public, Ng said the state agency will communicate with the PBT who will take the lead later. 

The guidelines came following the December 16 landslide tragedy at the Father’s Organic Farm campsite in Batang Kali, Selangor that killed 31 out of 92 people who were there.  

The rest escaped unhurt or had minor injuries. 

After the incident, campsites were ordered to be shut down temporarily. 

Ng said there are about 200 campsite operators in Selangor that will have to submit their details to acquire the licences. 

“Based on the survey done by the state in March, some 100 campsite operators have already submitted their details to the state and PBTs.” 

He said the minimum but mandatory requirement to get a temporary license is the submission of a survey plan. 

“The survey plan is the crucial part. This includes the size of the campsite, what’s on it and other details,” Ng said, adding that he was grateful that the operators came forward to declare their details. – June 27, 2023.