KUALA LUMPUR – Fraser’s Hill suffered at least 30 landslides following torrential rains over the weekend, with its main road blocked by boulders and fallen trees.
Bukit Fraser Nature and Heritage Society president Nik Jassmin Hew told The Vibes that the 30 comprised “major and minor landslides, with some unaccounted for”.
However, today, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Shamsul Anuar Nasarah was reported as saying that 139 landslides were detected along the road leading up to Fraser’s Hill, with 60 of them blocking roads.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia geohazard risk management cluster head Mohd Hariri Arifin said the area, already wrought by dormant landslides, is at risk of overdevelopment.
He said new development projects could result in hill-cutting at a gradient that may trigger fresh landslides.
“For now, Fraser’s has enough development. If we keep developing it, we may have to widen the roads, which may be detrimental.”
He said he is not against development, but such projects must be done in a sustainable manner.
Fraser’s Hill has many dormant landslides, he said, and those that hit on Sunday could have originated from one.
He urged experts, including geologists, to map out the dormant landslides and avoid developing these areas.
Raub MP Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji said Sunday’s landslides could have been caused by the felling of trees at the top of the hill.
As for the development of a 15-storey resort there, he referred The Vibes to a statement he made previously.
He has said for projects of that size, the developers must meet the requirements listed in an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report.
It is understood that an EIA may not be required for the resort project in question, as it only involves the tearing down of an existing structure to build a new one.
However, the concern is over its height and size.
A disaster ‘waiting to happen’
Nik Jassmin did not hold back when asked about the latest landslides.
“The landslides were (a disaster) waiting to happen. Soil erosion on Fraser’s Hill this year is happening more than usual.”
Many heavy vehicles ply the two routes up Fraser’s Hill, she said, and they scrape against the hillside.
“Along with the vibrations that these vehicles cause, the soil gives way.
“Also, we have to take into account that this is a water catchment area, and the water must flow a certain way.
“But when you take away the trees, there are no obstacles to the water flow.”
She referred to the 15-storey resort project, saying a building of that size may prove detrimental to the environment.
“There has been a stop-work order on the development, but it is all for show. They (the developer) were never asked to scale down the building, but asked to change the aesthetic of it to keep to the ‘Little England’ vibes of the area.”
The Vibes has reached out to the developer, Ikhasas Group, for comment.
Police on Sunday confirmed that a total of 13 vehicles were trapped between two landslides along Jalan Raub-Bukit Fraser about 1.30pm.
Raub district police chief Kama Azural Mohamed said the landslides occurred at Km2 and Km4 of the stretch.
“No casualties were reported. A number of people have been brought back to Fraser’s Hill with the help of police and villagers, after they walked across the area blocked by the landslides.”
Police have contacted the Public Works Department and the road care team from Kuala Kubu Baru to clear the stretch.
It was reported that the landslides also disconnected vital water piping to Fraser’s Hill, resulting in a supply disruption. – The Vibes, January 5, 2021
