Sg Kemensah businesses tipping ecological balance

NESTLED between forest reserves, steep hills and a winding river, Kampung Kemensah in Hulu Kelang, Selangor, appears calm and idyllic.

This tranquility, however, is fragile and increasingly under threat.

While Sungai Kemensah’s ecology remains stable, experts warn that unregulated human activities, compounded by escalating effects of climate change, is slowly tipping the balance.

Makeshift barriers, illegal structures built for dining, unauthorised campsites and squatters putting up homes along the river’s edge are introducing new risks to an already delicate environment.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Centre director Dr Khamarrul Azahari Razak described the situation as “a perfect recipe for disaster”.

A concrete barrier built by locals to create a mini waterfall, attracts many people to Sungai Kemensah.

“It is not just the geography, it is what we are doing to it, especially in unpredictable weather and intensifying rainfall,” he said.

Flowing debris and landslides, he said, remained Malaysia’s deadliest natural disasters.

According to Malaysia Mineral and Geoscience Department (JMG) data, flowing debris resulted in 436 deaths between 1995 and 2024, while landslides caused 619 fatalities during the same period, he said.

“In terms of lives lost per incident, these are often the worst.

“Flowing debris and landslides can engulf homes, roads and entire communities in just seconds, especially in hilly terrain.”

An eatery operator in Kampung Kemensah seen moving rocks in the river.

Khamarrul Azahari’s comments follow StarMetro’s report yesterday highlighting concerns of over-commercialisation along Sungai Kemensah.

It was reported that food operators, chalets and other types of businesses were operating near the river, on the riverbanks and even in the water itself.

Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) had said that none of the 70 identified businesses in Kampung Kemensah were licensed.

Khamarrul Azahari had previously worked with Selangor government, carrying out research around the middle stream of Sungai Kemensah, and said the state was concerned about both current and future risks.

“The topography and human activity in places like Kemensah, the hilly terrain, mountains, forest edges and nearby rivers create a dangerous mix.

An ATV business operating near Sungai Kemensah.

“People are drawn to set up businesses, but many are encroaching on land meant to be protected as river reserves.”

He said some businesses were operating within the river buffer zone.

“My first impression was, this is a big ‘No’.”

He said the authorities including MPAJ would have their reasons, whether economic or political, for allowing these businesses to continue.

“Local authorities will cite local economic development and other justifications, and I understand their position.

“But I have been researching disasters for over two decades and this is not the way forward.”

Khamarrul Azahari: Mindsets must change from just reacting to disasters.

Khamarrul Azahari said there were more glamping sites and tourism ventures seen across Selangor, and if the authorities chose to license these businesses, the location of their operations must be closely looked at.

“If you are going to legalise it, then do it properly.

“Give them space to do things right, issue licences, train and prepare them for emergencies.

“But always remember, these are high-risk areas. You cannot treat them like other locations.

“If you still decide to allow it, the licence must come with strict conditions.

“Operators must be made to understand the consequences. This is not just about losing a business in a disaster, it is about people’s lives,” Khamarrul Azahari stressed.

Kalithasan says Selangor has detailed river conservation laws but enforcement is weak.

Holistic plan

Khamarrul Azahari said one of the biggest problems was failure to recognise new dangers created by human activity, and these risks were becoming increasingly serious.

Most of the time, he said, mitigation work would only start after disaster struck.

“Our mindset needs to shift from responding to disasters to preventing them.

Zaki says smaller rivers have lower capacity to absorb and break down pollutants.

“Of course, we need a strong response team when tragedy strikes.

“But we must also invest in education and in reducing disaster risks.

“We have to reduce current risks and more importantly, prevent future ones.”

He also called for proper hazard and risk maps, saying, “You cannot manage what you do not understand.

“Once you have a clear map and plan, the danger zones become obvious,” he said.

He advocates for the development of early warning systems, pointing out that disasters often strike without warning and that many countries have shown that early warning systems can save lives and reduce damage.

Revenue from business licences issued in risky areas, he suggested, should be channelled back into the community.

“That money should go towards setting up warning systems and other essential infrastructure,” he advised.

Empowering locals

Khamarrul Azahari said local leaders needed to be empowered to educate not just residents, but also tourists and business operators.

“People must know the evacuation routes and what actions to take when something happens. This knowledge has to be widespread and easily understood.

“Everyone has to be part of the preparedness effort,” he said.

On the 50m buffer zone enforced by Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS), Khamarrul Azahari said the rule must be reviewed in light of rapid development and impact of climate change.

“The 50m buffer rule should not be treated as fixed. It is time we look at it again.”

He said the law should be more flexible, taking into account the situation on the ground, such as in densely populated states like Selangor where land is scarce and more people are pushing closer to rivers for housing, business and leisure.

He said the buffer zone might be workable in Sabah or Sarawak, but in Selangor, the risks were different.

“Local conditions must guide the decision. On weekends, these riverside spots are packed.

“Hundreds of people turn up, and roads get congested.

“There is strong interest in investing in these businesses and this is the reality.

“There is a long list of actions we need to take. But it all starts with being prepared,” he said.

Biodiversity threat

Meanwhile, two environmental experts warn that unregulated river activities like dining and camping are doing more than just cluttering the waterways with waste.

Global Environment Centre River Care programme manager Dr Kalithasan Kailasam said these activities could alter the flow of water, erode riverbanks and increase flood risks, all while threatening biodiversity.

“As riverside dining becomes more popular, we are seeing multiple violations of river reserve laws.

“These activities are slowly undoing years of conservation work and turning previously healthy rivers into polluted waterways,” he lamented.

Kalithasan, who is known for his work in water, river and waste management, said Selangor had some of the most detailed river conservation laws on paper but enforcement remained weak.

“For instance, we have laws that protect river reserves and buffer zones along riverbanks.

“These areas are legally protected to preserve ecological stability.

“LUAS has strong powers to act under its legislation,” he said.

“Under Section 48(1) of LUAS Enactment 1999, it is illegal to carry out activities within river reserves – including building structures or disposing waste without written approval.

“But we are seeing more encroachment.

“It is not just about putting up a deck or some chairs, it is also about physically altering the water’s movement and changing its speed and direction.

“Placing stones or building small dams to slow waterflow may seem harmless, but even they have consequences.

“The acts disrupt the river’s natural flow, which can cause erosion, sediment build-up and even localised flooding.”

He added that tampering with waterflow also affected aquatic life, water quality and the broader health of the river ecosystem.

Water quality specialist Dr Zaki Zainudin agreed, saying smaller rivers like Sungai Kemensah were particularly vulnerable.

“These rivers have a lower capacity to absorb and break down pollutants,” he said.

“When waste levels increase, especially during dry spells, the pollution becomes concentrated.”

Zaki said commercial operators often discharged greywater, food waste, and oils into rivers.

This introduces nitrogen, phosphorus and bacteria, which deplete oxygen levels and encourage algae blooms.

“Water turns murky and if cleanliness is poor, it can attract rats which introduces risk of diseases like leptospirosis,’’ said Zaki.

Kalithasan said that in Sungai Kemensah, mini dams were built to create swimming areas, which disrupted the river’s flow.

“Rivers are essential for environmental balance.

“They help maintain a steady base flow for ecosystems.

“Once you interfere with that, it affects everything from water quality to biodiversity,” he warned.

“Dams must release water consistently to maintain ecological balance, otherwise fish, insects and entire food chains are affected.

“These changes also raise flood risks, as water builds up and is released unpredictably,” said Kalithasan.