For the time being, the old regulated gate system, which carries out ascents and descents for visitors to Fraser's Hill via timed intervals, will be in effect.

The RM50 million road, linking the Gap to the hill resort, has been rendered unpassable since last December following a massive landslide.

The road, completed in 2001, is used by motorists when heading up to Fraser's Hill while the old road is used when coming down.

Authorities anticipate the road would be re-opened in six months to a year's time.

Following a call from a resident who wishes to remain anonymous, The Malay Mail visited the site of the landslide and discovered a 20m wide and 50m deep trench.

A section of the tarmac and a portion of the neighbouring hill was missing.

It was discovered that the exposed hill face had caused further landslides 700m down the slope as mud, boulders and sand had rained down on the narrow road leading to Raub, rendering that pass hazardous to motorists as well.

"It has been more than three months but nothing has been done to fix the road," lamented the resident at Fraser's Hill.

He claimed this was not the first time landslides had occurred in the area and the authorities had been informed since October.

"There was no follow-up hen I contracted the Raub Public Works Department, I was told Roadcare was in charge, and vice versa,? the resident claimed in reference to Roadcare (M) Sdn Bhd, which was responsible for road maintenance for Fraser's Hill.

"Nobody is doing anything concrete. The question is who is responsible for repairing this road" he asked, adding that PWD should bear responsibility over the matter and" stop putting public safety in jeopardy."   "It is a frightening scenario. If the (PWD) had taken preventive measures earlier, the road could have been saved. No one paid attention to the warning signs."

He claimed that the enormous landslide was due to the uncontrolled water flow underground, which should have been diverted before the road was built.

"It took RM50 million to get the new road built but where has the rakyat's money gone to? This is not the first time this road is in need of repairs," claimed the resident.

According to a source within the Raub PWD, the new pass was built at an estimated cost pf RM30 million. It was deemed unsafe and closed a few years later for repairs, which amounted to an estimated RM20 million.

Barely three years after reopening, the new road has once again been close.

The source, who claimed that the new route has been plagued with problems its inception, said: "Construction on such terrain was risky. Once it was open, we found the road to be unsafe and requested for additional funds for repairs to make it safer commuters."

He also reiterated the concern that an underground water source was the cause of the landslide.

"An underground water flow discovered after a recent bout of heavy rains had weakened the ground. As its source could not be pinpointed, the flow was unstoppable. Before any reinforcement measures could be taken, the road had collapsed," the source explained.

He acknowledged that the narrow road further down the hill, which servers as a daily pass to Raub, poses a danger to commuters due to the constant flow of rocks and mud from the hills.

"We cannot close the road as residents depend on it is risky. A major landslide can happen anytime."

He claimed that even though the department tries its best to clear the road every fortnight, constant downpours hamper clearing efforts.

"We are fighting a losing battle but the public does not understand that we are facing a major disaster and we are trying our best to solve the problem."

He explained that the stability of the land is still under study.

"It is not easy as it is a hilly area. A lot of study and analysis have to be carried out. It is not the same as rebuilding a road on a flat surface."

When contacted, Pahang PWD director Datuk Rosman Yahya denied the underground water source was the cause of the collapse. He instead attributed the landslide to exceptionally heavy rainfall in Pahang last years.

"The road collapse and landslide had nothing to do with its safety or design. It was the unusually heavy rains in the area that affected the area?s stability,"Rosman said.

The director added that the damage was under control as only one part of the area was affected.

He assured that the contract for repair works had already been awarded and that tests are being conducted to ascertain the feasibility and stability of the area before road works can begin.

He did not identify the contractor who was awarded the contract.