KUALA LUMPUR: Campsites nationwide have to be legalised following the landslide that claimed 31 lives at three unlicensed campsites in Batang Kali, Selangor, at the end of last year.
“This (legalisation) is a process to ensure existing operators are registered with the local government authority,” deputy local government development minister Akmal Nasrullah Nasir told FMT.
“Those who are registered will get a temporary permit and will have to fulfil certain conditions to obtain a license in two years.”
The conditions are outlined in the draft camping site planning guidelines (GPP), which is expected to be finalised at the end of next month.
Meanwhile, during the Dewan Rakyat’s question and answer session today, Akmal said the Selangor state government has already rolled out a legalisation programme for campsite operators who have been in operation prior to March 15, Bernama reported.
He hoped other state governments would carry out a similar legalisation process to ensure campsites are safe for public use.
Touching on the GPP, Akmal said it will focus on basic camping activities, such as tents set up in areas with minimal facilities, where participants will need to bring their own food and equipment.
The key aspects related to the suitability of campsites include determining the appropriate distance from prohibited and environmentally-sensitive areas, the area’s topographical conditions, the appropriate gradient, and the soil’s structural strength.
“It is hoped that the guidelines will see attention given to the planning of campsites so that incidents like the Batang Kali tragedy can be avoided,” he said.
The early morning incident at the Father’s Organic Farm campsite on Dec 16 claimed the lives of 31 people, including 13 children.
Another 61 victims who were trapped in the landslide were pulled out safely during the search and rescue operation.
Previously, local government development minister Nga Kor Ming said the three campsites buried by the Batang Kali landslide were unlicensed, adding that the campsite operators face a jail term of up to three years or a RM50,000 fine, if convicted.