By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
HULU SELANGOR, Dec 17 — The Federal government will first review the report on the landslide tragedy at Batang Kali before taking any further action, including setting up a special committee.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he will hold off forming a special team until after research has been completed.
“We have to wait for the initial report from the Inspector-General of Police and the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) before establishing any committees.
“I do not want to get ahead of their report. I need to pay attention to the report before taking action,” he said at a press conference after inspecting the landslide site yesterday night.
Also present were Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari and state executive councillor for the environment Hee Loy Sian.
At about 2.42am, a landslide nearly 300 metres long and 70 metres tall occurred at a campsite near the Father’s Organic Farm in Batang Kali.
As of 7pm last night, a total of 21 were confirmed dead while 12 more are yet to be found.
Search-and-rescue works are currently being carried out by JBPM, the police, the Civil Defence Force, the Health Ministry, and the Malaysian Special Search and Rescue Team (Storm).