A VIRAL drone video has raised serious safety concerns over a popular roadside eatery along the Simpang Pulai–Cameron Highlands road, after severe soil erosion was seen threatening the stability of the surrounding slope and posing potential danger to visitors.
The footage, uploaded on TikTok by user @yufara_, has circulated widely since yesterday and shows extensive erosion at the site, which is a frequent stopover for motorists travelling along the scenic route. The visuals suggest a high risk of slope failure that could lead to a landslide.
“There was no intention to jeopardise anyone’s livelihood, but you can think for yourselves what should be done. I’m truly grateful Allah protected us at that time,” the user wrote in the video caption.
“If I had known earlier, I definitely would not have stopped there just to take in the scenery. The place looks nice, but think about how dangerous it actually is,” she added.
In the comments section, the TikTok user also said she and her husband were reprimanded by a vendor at the premises for flying a drone in the area.
“The other day when my husband flew the drone, a seller there got angry,” she wrote.
“Later people might think I’m trying to shut down their livelihood, because my husband and I were already told off in front of others. They said drones aren’t allowed there,” she added.
Responding to the concerns, Perak Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the affected slope is located outside the supervision or road reserve of the Public Works Department.
However, he said preliminary checks found the location, which lies within the Bukit Kinta Forest Reserve, to be reclaimed land with a high risk of landslides.
“Based on the current condition, the Public Works Department advises that the area be closed to all activities to prevent any untoward incidents,” he said when contacted.
Mohammad Nizar explained that any decision to close the eatery falls under the jurisdiction of the Forestry Department and the relevant local authority.
“For your information, the eatery site was granted a Permit for Use for the purpose of operating a food and beverage outlet on a 0.4-hectare plot, effective from May 16, 2025 until December 31, 2025,” he said.
“The permit was issued by the Perak State Forestry Department,” he added.
He further said that as an initial measure, the Forestry Department will issue a one-month closure notice to the permit holder, effective from December 26, to allow for a full investigation to be carried out. - December 25, 2025
