Malaysia has mapped nearly 3,000 sq km of landslide-prone zones, including Cameron Highlands, to guide safer development and early warning systems
KUALA LUMPUR: Nearly 3,000 square kilometres of landslide-prone areas nationwide have been mapped to strengthen slope management.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the mapping of some 2,966km² was conducted by the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia.
He told the Dewan Rakyat the work covered highland areas with active agricultural activities.
The mapped areas include Cameron Highlands, covering 475km², and Kundasang, spanning 370km².
“The mapping results have been used to prepare the Slope Risk and Hazard Map (PBRC), which is shared with agencies such as PlanMalaysia and the Agriculture Department to support safer and more organised and sustainable land-use planning,” he said.
He said the results serve as a strategic reference for planning early prevention measures and slope maintenance.
They are also used for determining sites for the installation of landslide early warning systems.
Arthur was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man on proposed comprehensive mapping of monoculture plantations by gradient.
The question sought to assess mudslide and landslide risks to safeguard critical catchment areas, drawing lessons from a West Sumatra tragedy.
He said the Mineral and Geoscience Department (JMG) has developed two types of Preliminary Geological Hazard and Risk Assessment (PBRC) maps.
These are linear-based maps for federal roads and area-based maps for other zones.
“The Public Works Department (JKR) is responsible for linear-based PBRC for federal roads in the peninsula, while JMG prepared area-based PBRC for areas other than roads and highways,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.
Arthur said the ministry has strengthened its control mechanism through mandatory environmental impact assessments (EIA).
This applies to agricultural and plantation activities classified as prescribed activities.
He said JMG and the Department of Environment (DOE) provide technical feedback at local authorities’ one-stop centres.
Responding to a question on enforcement for logging and land exploration, Arthur said compliance with PBRC guidelines is mandatory before planning permission is granted.
“At the same time, we need to make it mandatory to obtain EIA approval for any opening of agricultural areas and plantations exceeding 20 hectares,” he said.
On early warning systems, Arthur said the ministry has installed 34 systems in high-risk landslide hotspot areas.
These are equipped with sirens and strobe lights for immediate alerts.
He said 41 community-based geological disaster risk management programmes have also been implemented.
These programmes strengthen residents’ preparedness through training and evacuation plans.
Real-time monitoring alerts are sent to the District Disaster Management Committee for prompt action.
This system aims to prevent slope failure and protect communities in vulnerable areas.
