UTM research centre has identified 21,000 landslide hotspots

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 24): Studies done by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia revealed “21,000 hotspots throughout the country in which landslides may occur”, reported The Star today.

According to the university’s centre of geotropic director Prof Edy Tonnizam Mohamad, said Peninsular Malaysia had 16,000 of such hotspots, while Sabah had 3,000 and Sarawak 2,000.

Edy said slopes of above 30 degrees were classed as dangerous while those above 20 degrees were considered critical, reported the daily.

“Since 1995, there have been 420 deaths related to landslides and debris flows.

“The highest number of deaths ever ­recorded happened in Keningau, Sabah, where 300 people lost their lives,” he told The Star.

Edy said landslides were not “something out of the ordinary” as they could even take place in thick jungle areas.

“However, hill cutting and uncontrolled development, especially when it is badly planned, hasten the process of landslides.

“The earth surface that we have in Malaysia is also one of the major contributors of the higher number of landslide hotspots compared with regional neighbours such as Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines,” he explained to the publication.

Edy said Hong Kong had faced similar problems due to rapid­development that caused frequent landslides but the authorities there later enforced stricter laws on development projects at hillside areas to prevent such accidents.

A massive landslide at the Bukit Kukus paired road project in Paya Terubong, Penang, last week killed nine and injured four migrant workers.  

Disaster Mitigation and Land Erosion Management expert Prof Dr Habibah Lateh from Universiti Sains Malaysia said that should the project continue, it would be dangerous as there was a possibility of a landslide, which may result in an even bigger catastrophe, reported Bernama.

“I am at the site of the landslide here today to see for myself the situation and I am surprised as the terrain and topography are not at all suitable for the construction of any project.

“In fact, not only the soil is friable, the type of rock is also found to be granite which tends to crumble,” she told the media after surveying the site yesterday.