By Jerry Choong
SHAH ALAM, Dec 23 — The decision to reopen the Batang Kali - Genting Highlands road to motorcyclists a week from now will be discussed in detail by Batang Kali state constituency coordinator Saifuddin Shafi Muhammad with the Selangor Public Works Department.
He said there are concerns for those employed in Genting Highlands, as they may face difficulties in going to and back from work as a result of the road closure to heavier vehicles.
"I paid a visit to Selangor Public Works Department director Lokman Nasir earlier today, concerning the decision to close the Batang Kali - Genting Highlands road for a year, in light of the Batang Kali landslide tragedy last week.
"Following the decision, thousands of people employed in Genting Highlands are faced with the difficulty of going to and returning from their workplaces, which can have a varying impact to the economic detriment of Batang Kali in general," Saifuddin said in a Facebook post.
He was referring to the announcement by Public Works Ministry secretary-general Datuk Wan Ahmad Uzir Wan Sulaiman on Tuesday (December 19), who said the Batang Kali - Genting Highlands road would be closed for a year to carry out slope rehabilitation works.
Earlier today, Public Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the road is expected to be reopened to motorcyclists within a week, with his ministry still monitoring the area which was struck by the recent landslide, to ensure safety along the route.
"Alhamdulillah, although the minister has made a statement to permit motorcyclists to travel along the road within a week's time, I also discussed two other technical issues with Lokman.
"The first is whether it is possible to permit non-commercial light vehicles, limited to those employed in Genting Highlands only. The second is a verification process of those employed in Genting Highlands who reside in Batang Kali, Kuala Kubu Bharu, and Hulu Bernam," Saifuddin said.
He added that Lokman consented to him meeting the District Engineer on the matter and that he will coordinate with the Hulu Selangor police district headquarters on smoothening the verification process for the movement of those employed in Genting Highlands.
"May this endeavour be fruitful," Saifuddin concluded.
The landslide tragedy that struck the Father’s Organic Farm campsite in Gohtong Jaya, Batang Kali, at 2.42am last Friday (December 16), has so far claimed 30 lives, with 61 people rescued and one still missing.
