KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 — The massive floods that hit Hulu Langat near here last December 18 not only destroyed the residents’ properties, including homes, but also the location normally chosen by production crew for shooting of films or dramas with rural setting.
Everything has been swept away by the floods. The scenic beauty and peacefulness of the village surrounding are lost.
Instead, Hulu Langat, which is about 27 kilometres from the federal capital, looks more like a new settlement area with mud stains and dust, as well as the pile up of wood waste and other debris brought by the floods.
Owner of production company Layar Ceritera Sdn Bhd, Along Kamaludin said this had forced him to look for other locations to provide a rural setting for his production as it would take at least six months to a year for the atmosphere in Hulu Langat to return to normal.
“The unique thing about Hulu Langat was that it used to be a peaceful area and relatively isolated from the hustle and bustle of urban life, despite being close to the federal capital.
“The alternative locations that we have now are Kuala Selangor and Tanjung Karang or places outside the Klang Valley,” he told Bernama.
Along, who is also a drama director, said the situation also affected the livelihood of owners of residences or houses which were used as backdrop and setting for a few of his production such as “Cukup Derita Itu”, “Beret Hijau”, “Rumah Buat Ibu” and “Abang Ngah”.
Film director and producer Datuk Yusof Haslam, said he needed about RM80,000 to repair his house, “Teratak Haslam”, which was often used as a location for filming of his dramas and films such as Gerak Khas, Gerak Khas Undercover and Khurafat.
“There are some places of my house which are used in the shooting of dramas and movies. But, now some places are damaged by the floods. It will probably take some time to repair,” he said.
The floods also cause damage to a 100-year-old house in Kampung Batu 18 which Saininah Sarit, 59, inherited from her parents.
She said the water at her house rose up to chest high and destroyed all her belongings, such as furniture.
“I only watched and cried seeing the house and all our belongings, especially two antique cupboards belonging to my late father, submerged in the flood water,” she said, adding that the house had served as a shooting location for production of various dramas, movies and advertisements since 1994.
As for Ruslaini Mohd Said, 68, her house in Batu 16, Dusun Tua, also a favourite location for film and drama shooting, was also affected by the floods.
However, she said, she was prepared to lease it to film/drama directors or producers for their shooting location if they did not mind the poor condition of her house, which she lived in with her husband and three children.
“The main building of the house is not much affected. The floods, however, caused damage to the compound, which was previously a beautiful lawn with various trees and flower plants.
“My house is a village house which is 12 feet high. Only the lower part of the house was affected by the floods, she said, adding that it was used as a filming location since the 1980s.
— Bernama
