Sashidaran Gunathevan
The Selangor Forestry Department has closed all waterfalls in Selangor’s permanent forest reserves. The closure took effect immediately on 11 November. It stays in force until further notice, and no reopening date has been given. The department cited unpredictable weather after days of floods across the state.
Specifically, visitors are barred from entering the closed areas or doing any recreation there. Moreover, the department warned of legal action against anyone who ignores the order. It said the aim is to protect the public.
Here is what the notice says, what it leaves out and what visitors can do. Importantly, it covers recreation areas only, not every forest trail.
What the closure of waterfalls in Selangor covers
The order covers every waterfall recreation area inside a permanent forest reserve in Selangor. That means the whole state, not one district. Furthermore, the department said the areas are now fully closed. They stay shut until it announces otherwise.
The notice did not name any waterfall. Likewise, it did not list districts or give a map. As a result, it is unclear how many sites are affected.
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The order took effect at once. In other words, visitors with weekend plans had no warning. Therefore, anyone already at a waterfall should leave.
The notice did not mention campsites, picnic areas or eco parks. It only named waterfall recreation areas. Still, visitors should check with the department before going to other forest sites.
Why Selangor waterfalls were closed
The department gave two reasons: unpredictable weather and the risk to visitors at waterfall areas. It said the closure protects the public. However, it did not link the order to any single incident. Instead, it spoke of prevention. Accordingly, nobody should assume a quick reopening.
Meanwhile, heavy rain has hit the state in recent weeks. Some areas flooded, and a Gombak landslide shut a road on 7 November. Rivers can rise fast after rain upstream, even when skies look clear at the waterfall itself.
Separately, eight people were swept away at Sungai Luit near the Sungai Pertak picnic site on 9 November. The notice does not mention that case. Readers should not assume the two are linked.
Notably, the department did not say who will decide when the sites reopen. It gave no weather trigger or review date. Thus, the closure may last as long as the wet season, though that is our reading, not the department’s.
What visitors to waterfalls in Selangor should do now
In practice, the notice bars anyone from entering or using the closed areas. The department says legal action can be taken against offenders. It did not state any fine or charge.
Overall, the department asked the public to wait for official word before returning. Updates are expected on its website, forestry.selangor.gov.my. Meanwhile, visitors can also check its social media pages, where the notice was first posted.
Tour operators and trip organisers should cancel waterfall bookings. Likewise, families planning day trips should pick a different outing. Furthermore, avoid walking in through side trails, because the closed areas are off limits however you arrive.
In short, all waterfalls in Selangor forest reserves are shut from 11 November until further notice. The department gave no reopening date. Check its website before any trip.
Yalinie Mathan
Maran Perianen
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