The Inspector-General of Police, Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, said today that volunteers and private organisations will not be allowed to provide assistance for search and rescue (SAR) efforts at the landslide site at Father’s Organic Farm near here.

Acryl Sani said the site is too dangerous for the public.

“Volunteers and NGOs are not allowed to enter ground zero because from what we observe, the site is not safe for the public.

“Therefore, the SAR efforts will be limited to the selected agencies, with the fire and rescue department as the lead. They will decide who gets to help,” he told reporters.

“Otherwise it will create a chaotic situation due to the large search area,” he said.

The information department will also restrict media access to the site from tomorrow. RTM and Bernama, both official media, are allowed in while other media will take turns in one-hour shifts, with only one person from each organisation allowed in.

Trained rescuers only

Acryl Sani said he was satisfied with the SAR operations and hoped the remaining victims would be found soon.

The director of Selangor fire and rescue services, Norazam Khamis, told Bernama that the ban on volunteers and private organisations was for their safety as conditions in the area were dangerous.

Only trained rescuers would be allowed into the red zone in accordance with instructions set by the National Security Council.

“For instance, in this area, the soil structure is soft and if it rains, there might be a landslide. This situation requires specialised training and readiness to face tough and unexpected situations, that’s why we require skilled personnel with good physical fitness to operate here,” he told Bernama.

He said volunteers and organisations could provide assistance outside the operation area.

The death toll from the landslide stands at 24 as at 7.30pm today, with nine others still missing.