Batang Kali landslide: Geotechnical Society offers technical assistance to investigate disaster
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Geotechnical Society (MGS) is offering its technical expertise in slope engineering to facilitate the investigation into the Batang Kali landslide involving a farm and campsite.
In a statement released by the society, it said it would also provide views and opinions in the investigation, as well as advising on the possible improvement of existing guidelines on slope management.
“With the duty-bound role, MGS wishes to offer technical assistance with our pool of expert members in slope engineering and provide views and opinions in the investigation, and to advise possible improvement of existing guidelines on slope management.
“As a learned society with the majority of our members being specialist geotechnical engineers specialised in slope stability, soil mechanics, forensic landslide investigation, and affiliated to several international engineering organisations, MGS is recognised locally and internationally as the learned society representing the geotechnical fraternity in Malaysia.
“Many of our members are experienced in slope stability assessment and landslide investigation who will be able to offer their expert opinions on this unfortunate and sad event,” it said in a statement on Saturday (Dec 17).
The society added that whilst some landslides are natural and undesirable occurrences on natural or undeveloped hill slopes that can potentially pose danger and cause damage to infrastructures in their vicinity, it is of the opinion that such disasters or geo-hazard risks to life loss may be avoided or at least mitigated with proper engineering.
“Inputs taken into considerations especially in man-made slopes or slopes in the vicinity of major infrastructures or public spaces are assessed by qualified and experienced geotechnical engineers.
“In the event that exposure to such risk is unavoidable, the population and elements at risk shall be informed on the inherent risk and educated to handle the risk if an incident happens.
“A comprehensive investigation will need to be carried out to determine the cause of the landslide with input from different experts ranging from geotechnical engineers, geologists and hydrologists with the aim of making public the findings.
“MGS is concerned with various “causes” of the landslide being reported in the media which will further confuse the public,” the society added.
It then urged the Government to take positive steps to establish relevant guidelines on such camping or farmstay development which are increasingly popular and normally located in high-risk areas such as hillslopes, waterfalls or rivers.
The society also expressed its condolences to all the families of the victims who perished in the landslide.