Perak: The Perak State Government will undertake efforts to identify locations with a high risk of sinkholes throughout the state, as announced by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. Attention will be focused on 11 sinkhole areas in Perak, as recorded by the Department of Minerals and Geosciences (JMG) for the period from 2019 to 2024.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Saarani stated that the issue would be brought to the Perak State Executive Council (MMK) for discussion with relevant agencies and departments. Saarani mentioned, “I have not received official information on the number and specific locations of these sinkholes, but we are aware and I will ask the relevant Exco to present this matter in the MMK tomorrow.”

Saarani further noted that the state government will request involved agencies to submit a report on areas at risk of sinkholes to enable preventive measures. This statement was made during the Human Value Implementation Programme, attended by the Perak Menteri Besar and Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah in Tapah Prison.

In the five years from 2019 to 2024, JMG recorded 24 sinkhole incidents, with Perak registering the highest number of 11 cases. Additionally, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRES) reported on March 6 that three incidents occurred in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, two in Kelantan, and one each in Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Selangor, Melaka, and Perlis.

Saarani also emphasized the importance of public vigilance, advising that any sinkhole occurrences be reported immediately for safety reasons. He warned against dismissing such incidents as ordinary, highlighting the potential involvement of groundwater flow and the unpredictability of current weather conditions.