CAMERON HIGHLANDS, Nov 13 — The relocation of businesses situated in Cameron Highlands’ high risk zones will be discussed with the state government and relevant ministries and departments next month, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel (picture) said today.
“There’s been frequent floods and landslides in this area recently. Such a move will also enable the light industrial and other businesses here to be developed in a more controlled manner,” he said here today after visiting the scene of the latest landslide at Jalan Sultan Abu Bakar in Brinchang.
He said the relocation was critical as the area was densely populated with an estimated 50,000 people and various tourism and farming activities.
A new site would also prevent the illegal construction of houses and shops on risky slopes, which has become a problem at the highland, he added.
“Hotels and houses can be built in valleys. We don’t want too many resorts or houses in hilly areas,” he said.
Earlier, Palanivel had visited the Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) Bertam Valley at Ringlet, which had been badly damaged by the mudslide and presented RM100,000 to the school.
The October 23 mudslide, which occurred after the release of water from the Sultan Abu Bakar dam, claimed four lives, injured one person and destroyed 80 dwellings and about 100 vehicles.
Last Sunday, two men were trapped in a workshop due to a landslide at Jalan Sultan Abu Bakar following heavy rains. One of them was injured. — Bernama
