KUALA LUMPUR – Local traders are experiencing a severe dip in their daily business as Jalan Batang Kali-Genting Highlands (Route 66) has remained partially closed since the devastating landslide at Father’s Organic Farm last December.
Ahead of the declassification of the full report on the tragedy that claimed the lives of 31 people, including 13 children, Scoop went to speak to locals on the challenges of doing business currently.
Rosidah Mohamed, a 59-year-old who sells banana fritters, said she used to bring in a daily gross profit of RM600-800, but now finds it difficult to even earn RM200 a day.
“Now, selling out 10kg of bananas is difficult. We can sell 30 to 40kg of bananas a day before the landslide.”
She added that the town used to be lively most of the time as it was a shortcut to the popular Genting Highlands, especially for tourists from the east coast.
“The restaurants and roadside stalls here are badly affected. We used to depend on tourists, but now we only get business from our regular customers. Previously, tourists would stop by and buy many items from us before heading to their respective destinations.”
Following the tragedy, most members of the public have to take a much longer route to Genting Highlands, more than double the typical travel time.
Meanwhile, those who frequently use the Batang Kali route need a letter and a pass from the police, and it is only open to light vehicles.
As for 46-year-old restaurant owner Johari Yasin, he also saw a huge drop in business after the partial road closure.
“People from the east coast or the north would use this road as a shortcut and would stop here.
“So when the road is closed, as a business owner, I see my sales dropping. Prior to the road closure, I could earn RM800 a day, but now I only get RM400.”
Meanwhile, coconut seller Mohd Jelani Ariffin, 52, said tourism in Batang Kali is now sustained by tourists from Selangor, even though camping and fishing sites are open to the public.
“More camping sites have been opened in Batang Kali, but it is hard to lure tourists outside of Selangor to try them out. I hope that the repair works for the affected slope can be expedited and maintained properly.”
In January, the road was partially opened to motorcyclists and other vehicles in stages. This came after backlash from residents when it was previously decided that the road would be closed for a year to facilitate hillslope repairs and roadworks. – October 6, 2023