SHAH ALAM – The Selangor government is currently formulating clear regulations on camping activities following the Batang Kali incident, according to its Local Government, Public Transport and New Village Development committee chairman Ng Sze Han.
In a press conference today, Ng said while businesses in the state are properly managed through their licence apart from other regulations, outdoor activities, such as camping or fishing, are considered as a subcategory and are not governed by specific terms and conditions.
Ng said proper regulations would mandate operators to comply with terms and conditions and ensure the safety of their patrons.
“At this time, local authorities do not have any specific conditions for camping activities that are being run by resort or hotel owners.
“Therefore, the state government is now expediting a census on the type and exact number of camping activities in the state as these activities are not classified under the business licence,” he said.
Ng also said that the census will also identify whether these recreational activities are located in sensitive or high-risk areas.
“Once we manage to collate all this data, we will immediately work on formulating the regulations immediately,” he said.
Ng then clarified that Father’s Organic Farm did not possess a business licence to conduct any trading activities at the site.
“However, I am not faulting them. Whether they have committed any wrongdoing, it is up to police in this matter,” he said, stressing that the state government is focusing on the census.
Business licence aside, Ng said the lot owners did not commit any wrongdoing by running an organic farm on the lot as the land was designated for agricultural purposes.
Yesterday, the operator of the campsite at Father’s Organic Farm, Frankie Tan, said he could not apply for a campsite licence because such a permit does not exist.
Tan said he was told by various government agencies that there is no such licence for camping site operators to apply for. – The Vibes, December 21, 2022
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