State urban well-being, housing, local government, and new villages committee chairman Teo Kok Seong said with camping activities becoming more popular in the state, it was important to establish clear guidelines on safety for visitors and campsite operators.

He said local authorities had suggested that campsite operators should be required to submit applications for temporary construction permits (KMTT) for their respective activities.

“If they submit an application for KMTT, the state government will conduct a study to create a special permit for campsite operators,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting with 15 campsite operators and local authority representatives.

He said the matter would be discussed in the executive council meeting.

Teo also added that there was a good safety record for campsites in the state.

On Dec 16 last year, a landslide at the Father’s Organic Farm campsite in Batang Kali, Selangor, claimed 31 lives, 12 of whom were children and a one-year-old baby boy. A total of 61 people were rescued.

At the time, local government development minister Nga Kor Ming said the campsite was operating without a licence and was in violation of Act 133 of the Drainage and Building Act.

However, Selangor state tourism, environment, green technology and indigenous affairs committee chairman Hee Loy Sian disputed Nga’s claim, saying there were no regulations to control campsites, the reason being that it was not a permanent structure.