RM20mil for Bukit Larut repairs since 2020

SLOPE and road repairs due to landslides at Bukit Larut in Perak, carried out since 2020, have cost around RM20mil so far, says a Perak state exco.

“Bukit Larut remains closed to vehicles and bungalow rentals have yet to reopen for visitors,” said Perak tourism, industry, investment and corridor development committee chairman Loh Sze Yee.

He added that those who entered the area for hiking activities were doing so at their own risk.

“The problem with Bukit Larut is that every time repairs are completed in one area, another area suffers a landslide, so we need to do more work to ensure public safety.

“We do not recommend vehicles going up as there are landslides even with minimum road use. If we go up and down with jeeps and other vehicles, then there is a possibility that even more landslides occur and cost lives,” he said in a BK report.

Loh was speaking after launching the rail tourism package at Laman Budaya, Taiping. Also present was Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) chief operating officer Mohd Zain Mat Taha.

In his speech, Loh said Taiping was chosen for the launch as the town had the first railway station in the country.

He said the rail tourism package was the latest product developed by Tourism Perak with the cooperation of KTMB, and would serve as an alternative mode for tourists to explore the state on trains.

“This initiative has great potential and is suitable as KTM’s electric train service (ETS) runs through nearly every district in Perak,” said Loh.

“The state government is confident and believes that we will become a destination of choice for tourists by offering eco-tourism, cultural, heritage and gastronomic packages, each with their own uniqueness.”

He said there were 36 rail tourism packages offered by six tour agencies.

Mohd Zain added that KTMB offered a 15% discount for ETS tickets for those purchasing the rail tourism package.