Halt land clearing in Cameron, says IEM

November 10, 2014

The Institution of Engineers offers its help in drawing up a master plan to prevent disasters.

PETALING JAYA: The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) has called for an integrated approach against floods and landslides in Cameron Highlands and offered its expertise in formulating a master plan to prevent such disasters.

In a press statement issued today, IEM President Lim Chow Hock also told the government to order an immediate freeze of excessive land clearing.

Any further opening up of the highlands will definitely aggravate the problem of soil erosion and increase the risk of flooding, he said.

The long term solution lies in the control of land use and the relevant authorities must be serious in tackling the root cause.

Referring to areas that have already been opened up, Lim said authorities should make sure that the land owners and operators undertake measures to reduce soil erosion.

He said the plastic houses that shelter vegetable farms on hilly slopes should have facilities to hold back water from flowing into rivers when it rains.

There must be an integrated approach to solve the recurrent flooding and landslide problem, which should include controlled land use and land clearing, the application of best agricultural management practices, the relocation of squatters along river reserves, the appropriate flood mitigation measures and the necessary flood forecasting and warning system, he said.

In order to prevent further loss of lives, it is important to formulate a Cameron Highlands Disaster Prevention Master Plan urgently.

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Halt land clearing in Cameron, says IEM