Dasar Sumber Air Negara 2010-2050

Sabtu Mac 24, 2012

Dasar Sumber Air Negara 2010-2050 Pastikan Bekalan Air Terjamin: Muhyiddin

PARIT BUNTAR: Dasar Sumber Air Negara (DSAN) bagi tempoh 2010 hingga 2050 dalam menentukan hala tuju masa depan untuk sektor sumber air berdasarkan kajian semula sumber air negara dilancarkan pada Sabtu.

Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin dalam ucapannya pada majlis pelancaran itu berkata DSAN merupakan usaha penting bagi memastikan bekalan air negara terjamin dalam era pembangunan ekonomi khususnya sektor pertanian dan perindustrian, pertumbuhan perbandaran serta pertambahan penduduk yang pesat.

"Dasar ini juga menetapkan prinsip asas sumber air negara yang menyentuh isu 'Air untuk Makanan dan Pembangunan Luar Bandar' dengan jelas. Prinsip ini menekankan tentang perlunya sumber air yang mencukupi untuk jaminan bekalan makanan di samping membantu menaik taraf pembangunan kawasan luar bandar," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian dalam ucapan pada perasmian sambutan Hari Air Sedunia 2012 peringkat kebangsaan dan pelancaran DSAN di pinggiran Dataran Sungai Kerian di sini hari ini. Teks ucapan beliau dibacakan oleh Menteri Tenaga, Teknologi Hijau dan Air, Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui.

Timbalan Perdana Menteri berharap langkah strategik bagi mengenal pasti dan menambah sumber air negara lebih dipergiatkan antaranya sumber air alternatif yang dikenal pasti mempunyai potensi menampung permintaan air di Malaysia adalah sumber air bawah tanah.

"Laporan awal oleh Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi mendapati isipadu air tanah yang tersimpan di Malaysia dianggarkan berjumlah 5,000 bilion meter padu yang mempunyai nilai komersial sebanyak RM7.5 trilion," katanya.

Muhyiddin yang juga Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Kebangsaan UNESCO Malaysia berkata beliau berharap kajian dan pembangunan sistematik serta menyeluruh terhadap sumber air bawah tanah, selaras dengan kaedah pengurusan air bersepadu dapat dipertingkatkan bagi membantu merealisasikan jaminan bekalan air seterusnya jaminan bekalan makanan di negara ini pada masa hadapan.

Katanya masalah jaminan bekalan makanan menjadi semakin rumit disebabkan sumber alam semulajadi seperti air yang semakin terhad.

Persaingan guna air juga semakin meningkat dengan sektor ekonomi dan industri lain serta dunia juga berhadapan dengan impak daripada perubahan iklim yang akan mengakibatkan kemarau di sesetengah negara dan banjir di negara yang lain, katanya.

Beliau berkata krisis bekalan dan harga makanan pada tahun 2008 telah meningkatkan lagi kesedaran banyak negara termasuk Malaysia untuk memantapkan lagi jaminan bekalan makanan khususnya bagi menampung permintaan dalam negara demi pembangunan dan kesejahteraan negara.

"Susulan daripada usaha meningkatkan bekalan makanan negara, kerajaan memperuntukkan sebanyak RM544.3 juta dalam Rancangan Malaysia Ke-10 sebagai komitmen dalam pembangunan punca air untuk pertanian khususnya bagi tempoh 2011 hingga 2015".

Malaysia merupakan sebuah negara yang sememangnya bertuah kerana dianugerahkan Tuhan dengan limpahan air bersih yang cukup untuk kegunaan bekalan air, industri, pertanian, perladangan dan aktiviti ekonomi yang lain, katanya.

Bagaimanapun, katanya jika anugerah itu tidak dijaga serta diurus dengan baik, ia akan membawa kesan negatif kepada negara serta jika negara tidak merancang untuk menyediakan infrastruktur air yang secukupnya, negara kemungkinan besar berhadapan dengan masalah kekurangan air.

Muhyiddin juga menggesa semua pihak terlibat dalam industri air sama ada di peringkat persekutuan atau negeri untuk berusaha memastikan kelangsungan bekalan air.

Dalam perkembangan lain, Timbalan Perdana Menteri berkata penduduk yang tinggal sekitar Kerian akan mendapat faedah besar ekoran kerajaan telah meluluskan peruntukan RM490 juta bagi projek tebatan banjir Lembangan Sungai Kerian.

Projek itu melibatkan kerja-kerja utama pembinaan benteng sungai sepanjang 300 kilometer dan rumah-rumah pam yang turut membawa manfaat besar kepada rakyat di tiga buah negeri - Perak, Kedah dan Pulau Pinang, katanya.-BERNAMA

Bijih besi sumber pendapatan baru Kedah

1 Mac 2012: Kerajaan negeri Kedah melalui syarikat milik penuhnya, Permodalan Kedah Berhad (PKB), sedang giat meneroka hasil bumi secara usahasama dengan syarikat swasta untuk dijadikan sumber pendapatannya yang baru.

Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak berkata aktiviti terbaru PKB ialah mengusahakan lombong bijih besi dengan Nacstone Mining Worlwide (M) Sdn Bhd, di tapak seluas 26.091 hektar berhampiran Gunung Jerai di Gurun, yang dijangka memberi hasil sebanyak RM10 juta setahun.

Bercakap kepada pemberita selepas lawatan kerja ke tapak lombong itu hari ini, Azizan berkata kerajaan negeri menerima royati sebanyak lima peratus daripada nilai bijeh besi yang dieksport, tidak termasuk keuntungan yang diperoleh PKB melalui usaha sama itu.

Menurutnya tapak tersebut diangggarkan mengandungi lebih satu juta metrik tan bijeh besi manakala satu tapak lagi seluas 42 hektar bersebelahannya, hanya menunggu kelulusan Jabatan Mineral dan Geosains, untuk dilombong.

Dalam tempoh tiga bulan lombong itu beroperasi, sebanyak tiga kapal muatan bijih besi itu telah di eksport ke China, kata Azizan.

Beliau berkata beberapa tapak lain juga telah dikenal pasti mengandungi bahan galian bernilai seperti kuartz di Bukit Kachi, Sintok, yang masih dalam proses kajian dan sudah ada pengusaha yang berminat melombongnya.

- Bernama

Soal Jawab Air Bawah Tanah

Kebelakangan ini, ramai individu yang kononnya pakar dalam air bawah tanah bercakap di televisyen dan catatan wawancara mereka disiarkan di akhbar. Kebanyakannya saya dapati bercakap tanpa ilmu. Kalau adapun, ilmu separuh masak! Di bawah ini saya siarkan soal dan jawab bagi soalan-soalan yang selalu menjadi kebimbangan orang ramai terhadap penggunaan air bawah tanah sebagai sumber air minum bersih. Jawapan disediakan oleh kumpulan pakar hidrogeologi dari Sime Darby diketuai Dr Azuhan Mohamed. (Terjemahan sebahagian artikel di bawah disediakan oleh saya sendiri). Mudah-mudahan orang awam non-geologist yang membaca dapat memahami dengan jelas.
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Groundwater is a Sustainable and Reliable Source of Water

25 August 2009- In response to statements made by the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (FOMCA), Sime Darby wishes to state that Groundwater is indeed a sustainable and reliable source of water if abstracted correctly using appropriate methods and technology. This fact has been proven in countries such as Denmark where 100% of water consumed is sourced from groundwater. Sime Darby has invested in state-of-the-art technology and has employed leaders in the industry both at a global and regional levels. There is no question of the ability of our experts (as listed below) and neither is there any question on the technology that is being used to ensure the sustainability and continued viability of our groundwater project.

Groundwater abstraction is undertaken at depths far below the water table ranging from between 100 meters to 300 meters below ground level. (This water table is at depths of only between 30 meters to 50 meters.)

The demand for water in Malaysia is expected to grow significantly by 2010 to approximately 17,000 Mld when the country’s population reaches 30 million. Currently, surface water accounts for more than 98 per cent of water consumed in Malaysia. This is a level of dependence is unsustainable and needs urgently to be addressed, especially since surface water is easily affected by extreme weather conditions, as Malaysians know only too well. This is a matter of grave concern for the whole country and all responsible organisations should be looking into addressing this imbalance in our national water supply.

Groundwater offers a more reliable and sustainable source of water as long as it is abstracted correctly, utilizing appropriate methods and technology.Groundwater is not only an environmentally friendly source as it causes minimal disruption to the land surface area but it is also a sustainable source of water as it can be developed in stages to meet increasing demand.

The methodology is not new and is used in countries with significant agricultural communities such as Denmark. Other countries which use groundwater widely include Germany, Switzerland, England, Australia and the United States among others. It is widely considered a sustainable source of water when recharge rates are taken into consideration and monitored as groundwater is abstracted.

Batang Padang was specifically identified for this pilot project as this area enjoys a high annual rainfall of almost 3,300mm and contains favourable natural fracture & fault lines as well as large areas of undeveloped land and water catchment areas. Furthermore, concerns raised on the salinity and impact on soil stability of the ground are unfounded for the reasons listed below.Sime Darby has communicated these facts to FOMCA and offered a dialogue session to explore the concerns raised several months ago. FOMCA declined to meet with and/or engage with our experts.

Item-By-Item Clarification on Impacts of Groundwater Abstraction As Noted by Fomca

Nos.	Impacts	Clarifications
1	Reduction in river flow and surface water. This includes also wetlands, lakes and springs. (Pengurangan dalam aliran sungai dan air permukaan. Ini termasuk juga tanah bencah, tasik dan mata air.)	Valid in unconfined aquifers and when groundwater abstraction is undertaken close to rivers and other surface water bodies. But the impact due to groundwater abstraction on river flows is negligible compared to surface water abstraction from both direct abstraction from rivers and artificial reservoirs behind dams. (Sah dalam akuifer tak terkurung dan apabila pengekstrakan air bawah tanah dijalankan berhampiran dengan sungai dan badan air permukaan yang lain. Tetapi kesan akibat pengekstrakan air bawah tanah ke atas aliran sungai boleh diabaikan berbanding dengan pengekstrakan air permukaan dari abstraksi secara terus dari sungai dan takungan buatan di empangan.) Invalid for groundwater abstraction from unconfined aquifers away from rivers and other surface water bodies as well as from confined aquifers. (Tidak sah untuk pengekstrakan air bawah tanah dari akuifer tak terkurung jauh dari sungai dan lain-lain badan air permukaan serta dari akuifer terkurung)
2	Living organisms that depend on the availability of groundwater will be affected and slowly killing the ecosystem.(Organisma hidup yang bergantung kepada adanya air bawah tanah akan terjejas dan perlahan-lahan membunuh ekosistem.)	Invalid since under natural conditions, water tables fluctuate that is, water tables are high (close to the ground surface) during wetter months and low during drier months. (Tidak sah kerana di dalam keadaan semula jadi, paras air tanah berubah-ubah iaitu tinggi (dekat dengan permukaan tanah) semasa musim lembap dan rendah semasa musim kering.)
3	Intrusion of sea water through seepage to fresh water area. This will also impacts to swamps and seaside ecosystems. (Perejahan air laut melalui resapan kepada kawasan air tawar. Ini juga akan memberi kesan kepada ekosistem paya dan tepi pantai.)	Valid in coastal unconfined aquifers and when groundwater abstraction is at a rate that reduces freshwater pressure and results in upconing of seawater below the wells. (upconing refers to the rise of the interface between freshwater-saline water that can result in saline water entering the wells) (Sah di akuifer terkurung pinggir pantai dan apabila pengekstrakan air bawah tanah adalah pada kadar yang mengurangkan tekanan air tawar dan menyebabkan upconing air laut di bawah perigi. (upconing merujuk kepada peningkatan antara muka antara air masin-air tawar yang boleh menyebabkan air masin memasuki telaga) Shallow coastal aquifers can be safely developed by controlling the rate of groundwater abstraction and through the use of horizontal wells. (Air dari akuifer cetek pinggir pantai boleh diambil dengan selamat dengan mengawal kadar pengekstrakan air bawah tanah dan melalui pembinaan telaga mendatar.) Groundwater abstraction from coastal confined aquifers is safe and they are many noted discoveries of freshwater springs in the seabed. Offshore drilling for oil also noted the occurrences of freshwater at depths below the seabed. (Pengekstrakan air bawah tanah dari akuifer pinggir pantai yang terhad adalah selamat dan banyak rekod penemuan mata air tawar di dasar laut dicatatkan. Penggerudian luar pesisir bagi petroleum juga banyak merekodkan penemuan air tawar dalam lapisan batuan di bawah dasar laut.)
4	Soil stability will be affected and will cause sinkhole problems. Reduction or extraction of groundwater will cause drop in ‘pore pressure’ for soil stability.(Kestabilan tanah akan terjejas dan akan menyebabkan masalah lubang benam. Pengurangan atau pengekstrakan air bawah tanah akan menyebabkan penurunan dalam 'tekanan liang ' yang penting kestabilan tanah.)	Valid for groundwater abstraction in karstic limestone aquifers and it is associated with high groundwater abstraction and improper well design. (Sah untuk pengekstrakan air bawah tanah dalam akuifer karst/batu kapur dan kejadian ini dikaitkan dengan kadar pengekstrakan air bawah tanah yang tinggi, tidak terkawal dan reka bentuk telaga yang tidak wajar.) There are many cases worldwide that through best groundwater management practices, it is safe to abstract groundwater in karstic limestone aquifers.(Terdapat banyak kes di seluruh dunia khususnya di China di mana melalui amalan terbaik pengurusan air bawah tanah, adalah selamat untuk pengekstrakan air bawah tanah dalam akuifer karst/batu kapur.)
5	Overall, it is not a sustainable activity to be done and it is not environmental friendly.(Secara keseluruhannya, ia merupakan satu aktiviti yang tidak mapan dilakukan dan ia tidak mesra alam.)	Valid under the condition of groundwater over abstraction or undertaken without best groundwater management practices. (Sah dalam keadaan di mana amalan terbaik pengurusan air bawah tanah tidak dilaksanakan.) Best groundwater management practices lead to sustainable groundwater development that benefits both socio-economic development and environment as proven in developed economies. (Amalan terbaik pengurusan air bawah tanah akan membawa kepada pembangunan air bawah tanah yang mapan dan memberi manfaat kepada kedua-dua pembangunan sosio-ekonomi dan persekitaran seperti yang terbukti di negara maju.)
6	Groundwater abstraction affects oil palms and other vegetation. (Pengekstrakan air bawah tanah memberi kesan kepada pokok kelapa sawit dan tumbuh-tumbuhan lain.)	Oil palms and other vegetation do not depend on groundwater for their water intake but on the water that is contained within the unsaturated zone or soil moisture. (Pokok kelapa sawit dan tumbuh-tumbuhan lain tidak bergantung kepada air bawah tanah bagi keperluan air mereka tetapi bergantung kepada air yang terkandung dalam zon tak tepu atau kelembapan tanah.) Vegetation growth depends on rain water and in the absence of rain water, vegetation wilts and dies off. This explains the phenomenon of thick vegetation in rain forests and sparse vegetation in semi-desert or desert areas as well as the need for irrigation to grow crops during dry season or to grow crops in semi-desert or desert areas. In the latter, well irrigation is widely practised. (Tumbesaran tumbuhan bergantung kepada air hujan. Dalam keadaan ketiadaan hujan, tumbuhan menjadi layu dan mati. Ini menjelaskan fenomena keadaan pokok-pokok tumbuh tebal di kawasan hutan hujan, berselerak di kawasan separa padang pasir atau padang pasir. Sistem pengairan perlu untuk tanaman semasa musim kering atau di kawasan separa-gurun atau padang pasir. Di kawasan gurun, pengairan dengan sumber air dari telaga air bawah tanah diamalkan secara meluas.)

Key Personnel In Sime Darby Groundwater Development Activities

Professional	Qualifications/Experiences
Ir. Dr. Azuhan Mohamed Position: Head - Water Management Age: 50 years old Nationality: Malaysian	B.Sc (Hons) – major in Hydrology and Hydraulics Engineering, Univ. of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK M.Sc. in Hydrogeology, Univ. of Birmingham, UK Phd. in Civil Engineering – major in groundwater, Univ. of Birmingham, UK Professional Engineer Corporate Member Institution of Engineers Malaysia Licentiate Institute of Geology Malaysia Certified Groundwater Professional – Association of Groundwater Scientists and Engineers, USA More than 27 years experience in the field of groundwater engineering
Mr. Chong Foo Shin Position: Principal Hydrogeologist Age: 69 years old Nationality: Malaysian	B.Sc. (Hons) Geology, Univ. of New South Wales, Australia Diploma in Hydrogeology, Univ. of London, UK M.Sc. Hydrogeology, Univ. of London, UK Fellow Institute of Geology Malaysia More than 40 years experience in the field of hydrogeology
Mr. Lindsay Furness Position: Principal Hydrogeologist Age: 55 years old Nationality: Australian	M.App.Sc. in Hydrogeology, Univ. of New South Wales, Australia Registered Professional Geoscientists, Australia Consultant to UN agencies and has worked in 16 countries on groundwater related projects More than 32 years experience in the field of hydrogeology
Prof. Dr. Manfred Krieter Position: Advisor Age: 61 years old Nationality: German	Professor of Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Hydrogeochemistry and Soil Sciences, Department of Geosciences, Univ. of Muenster, Germany More than 35 years experience in the field of hydrogeology

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Hasil Kajian Tanah Runtuh Cameron Highlands Dua Minggu Lagi

KUALA LIPIS: Keputusan mengenai penempatan semula 121 keluarga Orang Asli Kampung Ruil, Tanah Rata, dekat Cameron Highlands yang terlibat dengan tragedi tanah runtuh baru-baru ini hanya akan diketuai selepas Jabatan Mineral dan Geosains dan Jabatan Kerja Raya selesai membuat kajian dalam tempoh dua minggu lagi.

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli Negeri Pahang Datuk Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail berkata, kerajaan bersedia menempatkan semula 666 orang penduduk terbabit ke penempatan baru sekiranya keputusan kajian itu mendapati kawasan kediaman mereka seluas 64 hektar itu berbahaya untuk terus diduduki.

"Kerajaan akan mencari satu tapak penempatan baru yang sesuai bagi penduduk terbabit supaya tragedi buruk itu tidak akan berulang di masa akan datang," katanya kepada pemberita selepas majlis berbuka puasa dan penyampaian duit raya kepada anak yatim kepada peneroka Felda Koyan 1, 2 dan 3 di sini, Selasa.

Dalam kejadian pada 7 Ogos lepas, tujuh orang terbunuh manakala dua parah akibat tertimbus dalam tanah runtuh di Perkampungan Orang Asli Sungai Ruil, Tanah Rata, dekat Cameron Highlands.

Wan Rosdy berkata penduduk kampung tersebut yang ditempatkan di dewan orang ramai, kini dibiayai sepenuhnya kerajaan melalui Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli, dengan pembekalan barang-barang keperluan termasuk makanan serta pakaian, dan mereka ditegah daripada memasuki kampung itu.

Beliau berkata polis membuat kawalan rapi bagi mencegah penduduk daripada memasuki kampung dan rumah mereka untuk mengelak kemalangan berlaku kerana kawasan terbabit masih dianggap berisiko.

Wan Rosdy berkata kerajaan negeri Pahang menghulurkan bantuan wang tunai RM10,000 kepada setiap keluarga yang terkorban dan RM3,000 mereka yang cedera.

Beliau memberi jaminan kerajaan negeri akan terus memberikan pembelaan di dalam meningkatkan lagi taraf penghidupan masyarakat Orang Asli di negeri itu. - BERNAMA

Gangguan manusia atau bencana alam?

Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP) amat sedih dengan kejadian tanah runtuh yang berlaku di Kampung Sungai Ruil, Cameron Highlands yang telah meragut tujuh nyawa.

Sementara punca kejadian tanah runtuh yang melanda penempatan Orang Asli tersebut disiasat oleh pihak berkuasa, terdapat spekulasi bahawa kerja membersih tanah dan kerja tanah berdekatan penempatan itu untuk pembangunan perumahan oleh sebuah sebuah syarikat berkemungkinan telah menyumbang kepada bencana itu.

CAP telah memaklumkan kepada pihak berkuasa dalam surat bertarikh 26 Mei 2011 berhubung kerja tanah secara besar-besaran untuk pembangunan projek selepas menerima aduan daripada penduduk tempatan dan pelancong yang berang dengan keadaan itu.

Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS) telah mengarahkan pihak kontraktor supaya menjalankan kerja kawalan dan penstabilan cerun memandangkan kawasan itu terdedah dan berpotensi untuk terhakis.

Persoalannya ialah adakah pembangunan projek ini menjadi pemangkin bencana di Kampung Sungai Ruil?

Walaupun aduan dan amaran awal telah dibuat, kami merasakan bahawa tindakan wajar yang berkesan tidak diambil. Jika pihak berkuasa telah memantau dengan teliti sekitar Kampung Sungai Ruil, mengesan tanda awal kegagalan cerun dan bahaya yang akan berlaku, mungkinkah bencana ini boleh dielakkan?

Terdapat lebih daripada 600 kematian akibat tanah runtuh sejak 1973. Siapakah yang bersalah terhadap kematian ini? Dalam banyak kejadian, alam telah dipersalahkan, menyebabkan pesalah sebenar terlepas dan bebas.

Mengambilkira bahaya geologi yang serius yang telah menyebabkan kematian, kecederaan, kerosakan dan pemindahan penduduk, kerajaan Malaysia telah mewujudkan Pelan Induk Cerun Negara (National Slope Master Plan - NSMP) 2009-2023 yang antara objektifnya ialah untuk mengurangkan risiko sebelum tanah runtuh berlaku.

NSMP menyatakan bahawa di Malaysia, daripada 1973 hingga 2007, kira-kira 440 tanah runtuh dilaporkan. Terdapat juga lebih beribu-ribu kejadian tanah runtuh dan kegagalan cerun kecil yang 'tidak dilaporkan'.

Jumlah kerugian ekonomi akibat daripada kejadian tanah runtuh adalah dianggarkan lebih daripada RM3 bilion dalam tempoh 35 tahun lalu.

Kerajaan Malaysia mempunyai pelan induk cerun, butiran lengkap, komprehensif dan rangka kerja dasar yang berkesan, strategi dan pelan tindakan untuk mengurangkan risiko daripada kejadian tanah runtuh di kawasan cerun di seluruh negara.

Adakah pelan tindakan ini dilaksanakan dengan cekap dan berkesan?

Ramai daripada kita melihat bukit yang tandus, cerun yang terdedah akibat kerja tanah, pembangunan dan tanah runtuh ketika memandu sepanjang jalan utama dan lebuh raya di negara ini.

Kami bimbang cerun yang terdedah ini akan menjadi bencana yang akan datang. Kami berharap pihak berkuasa yang bertanggungjawab juga telah melihat kawasan yang terdedah kepada tanah runtuh dan tertanya-tanya sama ada tindakan telah diambil.

Apabila bencana berlaku, kami tahu bahawa tindakan yang wajar tidak diambil.

Kesan pembangunan di atas bukit, tanah tinggi dan hutan yang berleluasa akan berterusan jika pihak kerajaan membenarkannya.

Alam mempunyai batasannya dan kemerosotannya biasanya memberi kesan buruk dan bebanan berat kepada komuniti miskin dan penduduk asli. Tanpa mengambilkira kesan terhadap alam sekitar, pembangunan ekonomi akan melenyapkan sumber alam.

Kerajaan, ahli perniagaan dan pengguna perlu mula bertindak secara bertanggungjawab untuk kebaikan diri dan generasi akan datang sebelum bencana yang lebih dahsyat menimpa kita semua.

Penulis adalah presiden Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP)

Landslides still a threat

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Monday August 8, 2011

by CHOONG MEK ZHIN

mekzhin@thestar.com.my

LANDSLIDES, the latest one being the Hulu Langat incident in May that claimed 16 lives, continue to be a major issue in Selangor despite the introduction of the state Highland and Hillslope Planning and Development Guide-lines early last year that failed to address safety concerns.

According to geotechnical engineer Dr Gue See-Sew, the guidelines should have incorporated steps on preventing future landslides.

Our objective should be to protect people, yet nothing in the guidelines talks about safety. - DR GUE SEE-SEW

“There are many causes of slope failure and nothing in the guidelines addresses this,” he said.

“New developments should be made to follow a set of procedures to prevent such incidents from happening,” the former Institution of Engineers Malaysia president said.

He said there were many investigations done when a slope failed but nobody consolidated these reports along with the national slope masterplan to improve development practices and safety, something that should have been included in the guidelines.

“Our objective should be to protect people, yet nothing in the guideline talks about safety.

“All it does is complicate the planning process,” Gue said, adding that both the state and federal guidelines were more or less the same.

He pointed out that classifying slopes — the first step in applying for development planning approval — was already complicated and created a grey area.

“Slope classification should not be so subjective. We do not want 10 people using the guidelines to come up with 10 different conclusions,” he said, adding that it should be simple and suggested that only slope gradient be used, without adding parameters.

For instance, under the guidelines, slopes more than or equivalent to 15° to less than 25° were typically considered Class II slopes but could be classified as Class III (≥25° to <35°) if there were signs of moderate to bad erosion and slope instability.

“How do we differentiate small, moderate or serious erosion problems?

“When in doubt, do not approve and there is no development. But is (no development) what we want?” Gue said, adding that he had raised this question when the guidelines were being drafted.

He also felt that differentiation should be made towards unengineered and engineered slopes.

“Both situations require the same precautions such as the buffer zone.

“When a slope is unstable and too costly to strengthen, it has the potential to fail and needs the buffer but why should an engineered slope require the same?” he asked.

Gue said the guidelines were confusing and the planning process did not involve engineers thus it should be simple and transparent on when a submission could be approved or not.

“The details and parameters such as consideration for rainfall, water table, geometry, soil property and such can come later as this is when we talk of engineering a slope,” he said.

Gue expressed disappointment with the authorities, as the main stakeholders, who had plans and started good initiatives but without clear results.

“We do not have enough champions for this cause. Strong political will and follow-ups are important,” he said, adding that collectively, as a state or country, resources can be found to mitigate this issue.

He said solutions must be found to the landslide problems that kept recurring.

“In Hulu Langat, there is a lot of unchecked slope-cutting going on.

“In some parts, the slope-cutting has created almost vertical unengineered slopes along the main road. How can the authorities say they do not have the power to overcome this?” he asked.

He said according to the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 Section 70, it is stated that “No person shall erect any building without the written permission of the local authority”.

“To my understanding, no type of land is exempted from this law, including agricultural land,” Gue said, adding that known high-risk areas should be investigated and notices issued or immediate measures taken to strengthen it.

“We could adapt and adopt a number of practises from Hong Kong’s successful slope management model.

“They look into both planning control for new developments as well as retrofitting existing slopes at risk,” he explained.

“For the former, they look into planning approval that addresses density, method of applying and type of slopes applicable for planning application. Everything is clear cut,” he said.

As for existing hillslope development, the areas are checked and if found that some mitigation steps need to be carried out, it is done quickly.

“If the land is privately owned, the owner is responsible for it.

“If they do not have the financial means to do it, the government does it but imposes a condition on the owner that they cannot sell their property until the cost of strengthening the slope is paid back,” Gue said.

It has been reported, from as early as 1999 after the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide that cut off access to thousands, efforts have been made to emulate Hong Kong’s hillslope management.

Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan Abdul Rahman, 46, from Bukit Antara-bangsa said it was worrying if the government machinery of the day did not move to protect the public.

“The state government can do more to push the machinery, that is the local authorities, to monitor and act quickly when it comes to mitigating slope problems,” he said.

“They are not fully using their ‘arm’ and this is management failure on their part.”

Cameron Highlands landslide: Seven dead

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Seven people have died in the Cameron Highlands landslide, with two others surviving the incident.

A Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said the last victim was found at 1.21am Monday.

The two injured are being treated at the Ipoh General Hospital.

Earlier, it was reported that three women were confirmed to have died in the landslide which hit the Sungai Ruil Orang Asli settlement here Sunday.

Cameron Highlands Police chief DSP Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu said that three others, two men and a woman, were seriously injured in the landslide which occurred at about 5.45pm during heavy rain.

He said that at least three others were feared to be still buried in the landslide.

Wan Mohd Zahari told reporters that the body of the first victim was recovered at about 6.15pm while two of the injured were pulled out of the mud 20 minutes later.

He said the body and the two injured were sent to the Hospital Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom in Tanah Rata.

Three houses were reported to have been buried in the landslide and two others slightly damaged.

Up to midnight Sunday, more than 100 policemen, firemen and civil defence department personnel were carrying out search and rescue operations with the help of the residents.

A spokesman of the operations room of the Brinchang district police said all the victims were from the settlement.

Residents living close to the landslide have been evacuated to the Brinchang multi-purpose hall.

The settlement near Tanah Rata have 145 houses for a population of 1,300 people. - Bernama