It was beyond heart-breaking.
News that rescuers had recovered the bodies of a woman and a young girl, believed to be a mother and her daughter in a final embrace, buried under tonnes of earth, rocks, tree trunks and other detritus was simply gut-wrenching.
No words could even begin to assuage their loved ones of the anguish of their bereavement.
They were among the 21, including children, who died in a landslide that struck an organic farm that had a campsite in Batang Kali, Selangor, early yesterday morning. Twelve others remain missing while 61 campers had been rescued.
The Parent-Teacher Association of SJKC Mun Choong in Kuala Lumpur, including the teachers, students, and some of the parents who had taken part in the camping activity, had reportedly said that they were assured that the campsite was safe to visit.
A quick check online showed the popularity of the campsite, which had hosted many campers, young and old.
However, the organic farm had no permit to operate a campsite – as revealed by Local Government Development Minister, Nga Kor Ming.
Nga told reporters at the scene that checks with the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council revealed that the operator was only licenced to operate an organic farm.
“The operator filed an application to begin organic farming activities in 2019, but we believe they began operating the campsite in 2020,” Nga said.
So, where does this leave camping and outdoor enthusiasts?
Many would assume that the multitude of campsites and resorts throughout the country that actively promote themselves on social media, are legal, and have all the necessary licences from the local authorities.
Yet, we have seen throughout the years that this is simply not the case. Some popular spots brazenly operate illegally, right under the noses of the authorities, unfazed by the attention they get from satisfied customers who post on their on social media.
Remember Lookout Point in Ampang? It hosted several restaurants and provided patrons with a breathtaking view of the city skyline. Team building activities were also carried out there.
It was so famous that the Lookout Point was listed in tourism brochures, with road signs guiding visitors to the destination.
However, a landslide in 2012 uncovered the fact that the operators had been running their businesses without a Certificate of Fitness. They were subsequently ordered to shut down by the Kajang Municipal Council due to the dangerous soil movement in the area.
There are many other operators of famous destinations that continue to operate despite not having the proper documentation.
In June, the Terengganu government confirmed that a famous resort in Pulau Perhentian Kecil was operating illegally. Even more shocking, was that five other resorts on the island had been operating without approval.
Following yesterday’s incident, Nga revealed that all 150 local authorities in the country have been told to clear out campsites near rivers, hillslopes or waterfalls, for at least seven days.
He added that those operating without licences must cease operations immediately and apply for their respective permits first.
While some may call this a knee-jerk reaction, it will hopefully be the start of a proper clean-up of illegal campsites and resorts.
As tourism bounces back after the prolonged lockdowns imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the fate of legitimate industry players, especially those catering to nature lovers, cannot be determined by the unscrupulous.
Accidents do occur, but the latest incident could have been avoided.
Let’s not erode the trust of visitors. They cannot be expected to contact the local authorities first, to find out the legal status of the campsite or operator, before they book or visit the place.
It’s high time for the authorities to keep close tabs on the operators of these places. Each time a new venue pops up on social media, it’s only right for enforcement and regulatory agencies to head over and ensure that the owners toe the line. Lack of manpower cannot be used as an excuse.
Perhaps local councils can come up with a list of legal camp grounds and resorts on their websites so that visitors, including schools and universities organising excursions, can cross-check the legitimacy of those facilities.
Lives have been lost in the Batang Kali incident. Do we need more people to die before we get serious in enforcing the law?
Main image: Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia Negeri Selangor
