SEREMBAN: Campsite operators in Negeri Sembilan are aware of the need to operate with a license but they have no place to apply for one.

Following the Batang Kali landslide which crushed several campsites where 24 people have been found dead while nine others are still missing, many campsite operators are asked whether they have a license to operate since Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the operator at the centre of the landslide tragedy was allowed to operate an organic farm but not campsites.

“If there is a department for us to apply for a license, we would have done so,” they said.

Andy Chong, general manager of D’Wharf Hotel & Serviced Residence which also has a D’Wharf Xtivity Camp Park, said the hotel only managed to apply a temporary permit to operate with the local council remaining “silent.”

In fact, Chong said the temporary permit did not have legal implications as neither insurance company nor government departments recognize it.

“If an accident occurs, all fingers are pointing at the operator,” he said.

Chong said someone fell and suffered a bone fracture at the campsite recently.

“We are required to pay for the medical compensation,” he said.

Chong opined that it was unfair for the minister to blame the campsite operators.

The minister should explore the issue of operators facing problems in getting a license instead of pointing fingers at them, he said.

James Chen, who is in charge of Yaka Campsite at Broga, said the campsite has tried several channels to apply for an operating license but to no avail.

“The Nilai Municipal Council once sent some men to inspect the campsite and we were told that there was no such license. I did raise the issue with a politician and received a similar reply,” he said.

Some operators resorted to improving personal safety features at the campsites by having cemented steps at the sloppy area to prevent campers from falling and install extra lightings.

“We do whatever we can to mitigate the risk. But on the application of license, this is not within our control.

“By allowing the campsites to operate in a legal manner this helps to offer room for the operators to survive,” he said.

Darrel Lim, owner of Mayangsari campsite in Port Dickson, said camping is a new business that is mushrooming during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“As a new business, it has many grey areas where operators and campers are not offered any form of protection.

“The quality of campsites varies too. A set of safety guidelines released by the government will help govern all campsites in the country,” he said.

Despite the fact his campsite is located by the sea, Lim received many queries whether the campsite is legal following the tragedy in Batang Kali.

“From the start of the operation until now, I have been visiting many government departments to apply for a license. I have not received any reply until today. This is the plight of campsite operators,” he said.