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SCMP’s Asia desk

A Malaysian NGO is demanding more accountability in project approvals in Cameron Highlands after a two-hour downpour on Monday resulted in a “river of mud” gushing through the main road of a town in the popular hill resort.
A 15-second clip shows waist-high muddy waters, which social media users likened to teh tarik, surging through Ringlet, swallowing the main road and pushing against cars.
Cameron Highlands police chief Azri Ramli said the flood was caused by a heavy downpour that began at 2pm in the hilly terrain.
“The run-off from hilly areas surged onto the main road, causing flash floods. However, the situation remained under control, and the waters fully receded by around 4pm,” he told Bernama on Monday.
No one was injured but police received reports about vehicles being carried away by strong currents, Azri said.


Social media users pointed to indiscriminate building works as the cause of such floods in the highlands.
“Brown water like this is caused by construction. When there is earthwork, the water flow will change, so you need to make proper diversion channel and temporary holding pond,” one user wrote. “The town council and Department of Environment are responsible but they are useless.”
After the video went viral, an environmental NGO called on authorities to adopt a firmer and more responsible approach when granting approvals for development projects in the area.
“This incident once again raises serious concerns about the approval process for development, particularly land clearing for agriculture on steep and high-risk slopes,” Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands President A. Dilip Martin told The Star newspaper.
“All relevant authorities also need to ensure stricter enforcement, to protect the environment and safeguard the local community,” he said on Monday.
“Decisions should not be made loosely or based on discretion alone without considering the long-term consequences. When incidents like this occur, there appears to be a lack of accountability and this cannot continue.”
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability told the Bernama news outlet it would work with various agencies to investigate the cause of the flash floods in Cameron Highlands and identify preventive measures.
The ministry said it would deploy geologists to conduct studies and provide technical assistance, and issue a report on its findings.

Malaysia has been hit by flash floods brought on by evening thunderstorms over the past week. It is in the midst of the inter-monsoon, a period between late March and May that brings wet weather.
“These weather conditions are typical for this period. Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are expected typically in the afternoons and evenings, particularly on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia,” Fredolin Tangang, an emeritus professor in climatology at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, told The Star.
Malaysian Meteorological Department Director General Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said heavy rain was forecast for most parts of the peninsula’s west coast and interior during this period.
“These conditions can cause flash floods, fallen trees and damage to weak structures,” he said.
Malaysia’s flood losses amounted to 636.9 million ringgit (US$161.2 million) last year, equivalent to 0.03 per cent of nominal gross domestic product, according to a Department of Statistics special report released last week.
All states were affected by floods, with the highest losses recorded in Terengganu, Kelantan and Johor.


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This Week in Asia

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Environmental NGO calls on authorities to adopt a more responsible approach when granting approvals for development projects in the area


Environmental NGO calls on authorities to adopt a more responsible approach when granting approvals for development projects in the area.


Environment

Extreme weather

Rafizi Ramli

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

‘River of mud’ in Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands prompts accountability calls

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Environmental NGO calls on authorities to adopt a more responsible approach when granting approvals for development projects in the area

Environmental NGO calls on authorities to adopt a more responsible approach when granting approvals for development projects in the area