Bukit Larut, Burmese Pool is closed to visitors from Saturday

by Rosli Mansor

The Bukit Larut Resort and Burmese Pool are closed to visitors for seven days from Saturday until December 23, subject to amendments from time to time, said Taiping Municipal Council (MPT) Chairman, Khairul Amir Mohamad Zubir.

He said the decision was made following instructions from the Minister of Housing and Local Government, Nga Kor Ming, who ordered all camping sites near rivers and high-risk locations throughout the country to be closed for seven days with immediate effect.

“On this occasion, I express my condolences to the family members who were involved in the landslide tragedy in Batang Kali.

“Following the landslide tragedy, the Ministry of Local Government Development (KPKT) has issued an immediate suspension order for all activities in high-risk areas.

“It includes slope areas, beaches, water heads and areas at risk of flooding in their respective Local Authority (PBT) administrative areas,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

Khairul Amir also advised the public, especially Taiping residents, to postpone any activities in high-risk areas during the Northeast Monsoon (MTL) period.

“Taking a lesson from what happened in Batang Kali, I advise the public and all Taiping residents and visitors to postpone any activities in high-risk areas during the North East Monsoon (MTL) period.

“I also ask all the tourism operators on the hillside to observe the risks in their respective areas and take action to close the tourist centre if it poses a safety risk,” he added.

Earlier the media reported that the landslide tragedy that occurred at 2.42 am at the Father’s Organic Farm campsite, Gohtong Jaya, Batang Kali has so far seen 24 lives lost and nine more victims who are still missing.