Bayan Lepas Waterfall: Dying or Dead ?

GPS Coordinates : N 5 18.000   E 100 15.550

Did you know that there is a waterfall in Bayan Lepas? It's tucked a way in Kampung Perlis. I come pass the signboard "Air Terjun Bayan Lepas" a few times going home. Finally found time to scout out the place this weekend. What greeted me was the sorry state of this recreation area. Having lived in this country so long I am really tempted to say, if you've seen one, you've seen them all. However that would be totally unfair to places that are in a better condition.

The first thing that greeted me when I walked in from the main road was the amount of garbage on the slopes of the hill on my right before the main area. I've marked this in the main diagram. One can only wonder why those living in the apartments there would rather bomb the hillside access road than take their trash to the proper disposal site in their apartment.

The next surprise was the health warning sign erected by the Health Ministry. Apparently it seems that the waters in the area could be contaminated. 

Translation: Warning! Health Risk! Contatigous Disease Risk! This river/pond/waterfall/mud may be contaminated by bacteria/virus/parasite. Do not drink uncooked or untreated water. Avoid swimming/playing in the water if you have skin wounds or skin ailments. Swim/play at your own risk. Obtain treatment within 2 weeks if you are sick from now. Keep surroundings clean, as dirty surrounding will invite animal that will increase risk of germ contamination. 
More information contact: South West Health Office @ 04-8668357/04-8660287

So I'm a little shaken after reading the warning. Couple of months back people died in Bentong I think after swimming in the river. The whole area was cordoned off by the Health Ministry. However there is little of that here in the main area. No security tapes, no no entry sign. 

There were some tapes wrapped around the trees in the pavilion across the pond. I did not cross over to take a closer look as that would require me to walk through the sand/mud and water. There is a health warning mind you. The area is mainly deserted except for 2 little children that playing in the water (yes no typo here) and another adult that seems to be digging out the sand that has settled in the pond. If you look at the photos, thats a lot of sand to dig out.The water is absolutely muddy. 

Now if you compare the images that I've taken above with the ones that are taken by PenangTravelTips in Nov 2009 and MalaysiaNaturalHeritage in Jan 2010; you can see that the sand bank wasn't there previously. Well thats a lot of crap to be washed downstream in 10-12 months time. Definitely looks like construction area soil/mud. 


Isn't the Irrigation Department (JPS) suppose to conduct routine checks on our river systems? Lets give them the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps the chap is digging out the sand was hired by them.


The rock areas near the falls looks pretty dry. I decided to try my luck by hiking upstream to see what I can find. The waterfall is not looking too bad from this perspective.

Here is another photo higher up. Plenty of garbage in the overgrown bush. The children are still playing in the water. 

The water in the catchment area above is also dirty. Sand and mud banks are building up on the side as you can see in the image below.

There is a path that leads upward to the right. You will pass the Dato' Kong on your way up into an open area. 

What greets you is a row of deserted stalls that were erected back then. I guess these were suppose to be use for vendors selling things to visitors of the waterfall. It is in a run down condition. Some folks have converted it into their own private sheltered car park. Up high in front is the Setia Pearl Island show village. I didn't realize that it was that close.

It doesn't look like the path has been traversed in a while as vegetation has started to grow  covering the trail partially. I did not manage to follow the river further up. Who know what else would I be able to find. If anyone out there did do let me know so that I can link you up.


If only a by election would happen here. We would then have some politician swim in its water trying to prove it is safe and the waterfall/river system would probably get millions in allocation to fix its problems.

Anyway I hope those 2 children that were enjoying the water will be ok. Else they would be contributing to the statistics that will generate heated news for a while before the issue gets forgotten all over again. 

*All images were on 31 October 2010 with my T650i. If I fall sick in these 2 weeks you guys know what happened to me.