Jalan Batang Kali-Genting Highlands closed to motorists for clean-up works following a landslide in 2022. — Filepic
SELANGOR government’s Slope Risk Hazard Plan (PBRC) for roads under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department (JKR) is expected to be completed by 2025.
State infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Izham Hashim said the PBRC would be used to identify high-risk areas for monitoring and repair purposes.
“At the same time, the Minerals and Geoscience Department (JMG) has prepared a hazard and risk map to better identify landslide hotspot areas,” he said.
He was responding to questions from Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (PN-Hulu Kelang) regarding the state government’s efforts to monitor high-risk slopes.
Izham said RM31,168,798 had been allocated for slope repairs involving both state and federal roads.
“A total of 16 projects are being implemented – 10 involving federal roads and the rest are state roads.
“The installation of Early Warning Systems (EWS) at several high-risk slope locations by JKR, JMG and local authorities provide early warning indicators.
“This will enable timely preparations and follow-up actions to address landslide issues effectively,” he said during the Selangor State Assembly sitting at Bangunan Dewan Negeri Selangor, Shah Alam.
Izham said the state executive council was still deliberating whether to make the hazard and risk map available to the public.
“While we understand the need to alert the public to potential landslide areas, identified in the map, there are concerns that releasing the map could lead to property speculation, potentially lowering property value.
“We are considering whether the map should be released fully or in phases,” he said in response to a supplementary question from Mohamed Azmin on the state’s readiness to disclose high-risk slope locations and implement immediate interventions.
Mohamed Azmin said there were a total of 374 slopes under the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council’s (MPAJ) jurisdiction, some of which fell within his constituency.
Izham said the state would immediately address landslides affecting roads, by securing slopes with structural reinforcements.
“As for natural landslides that do not affect public infrastructure or roads, we generally avoid intervention as it is too expensive.
“Rectification works for landslides are also categorised into two – state land and private land.
“Some landslides occur on private land, where the state lacks the authority to carry out repairs.
“In such cases, we collaborate with landowners to resolve the issue,” he said.
Izham said that while the hazard and risk map was crucial for identifying landslide-prone areas, regular maintenance was equally important.
“Some landslides happen due to poor maintenance, such as damage to berm drains resulting in water seeping into the soil,” he added.
