Perak Proposes 24-Hour CCTV for Menora Tunnel Slopes

Perak Proposes 24-Hour CCTV for Menora Tunnel Slopes

The Perak state government is proposing a 24-hour monitoring station equipped with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to monitor slopes around the Menora Tunnel on the North-South Expressway. The proposal follows a slope collapse incident on Friday afternoon, which was attributed to heavy rainfall and subsequent soil movement, according to state infrastructure committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

Menora Tunnel is a critical infrastructure asset on the North-South Expressway (PLUS) in Perak, operated by PLUS Malaysia Berhad. The proposed CCTV system is designed to provide round-the-clock visual monitoring of slope stability, enhancing safety for the estimated thousands of daily expressway users. This initiative is a response to a specific geological event and represents a category of transport infrastructure safety measures relevant to all Malaysian highway users navigating hilly terrain during the tropical monsoon season.

Key Facts

Why Did the Menora Tunnel Slope Collapse Occur?

The slope collapse on Friday was caused by heavy rain of 65–66 mm, which exceeded the normal level of approximately 40 mm, leading to saturated soil and subsequent ground movement. According to Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, the primary cause was not the rocks in the area but the fallen trees from above due to this soil movement.

"The main cause was heavy rain followed by soil movement. When the ground moved, the trees also shifted, eventually falling. The rocks here are not the main cause, but the trees from the top fell due to ground movement that became the cause of the incident."

— Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, Perak State Infrastructure Committee Chairman, as reported by Careta

Nizar added that rainfall records during the incident showed between 65 and 66 millimetres, compared to the normal level of around 40mm. The fallen tree was located approximately 35 metres above the slope surface.

The Menora Tunnel landslide was triggered by 65–66mm of rainfall, significantly exceeding the 40mm normal threshold.

What Immediate Actions Are Being Taken at Menora Tunnel?

Immediate mitigation works are being implemented by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) and PLUS Malaysia Berhad. These actions are not long-term solutions but are intended to stabilise the situation and prevent ongoing disruption to expressway users.

Specific measures include the installation of plastic canvas to prevent rainwater from seeping into the affected soil, while monitoring will continue until a permanent solution is implemented. Additionally, patrols by PLUS will be increased, and appropriate warning signs will be installed in both directions to remind drivers of potential hazards in the area.

Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin stated: "We propose that a monitoring station be created at a suitable location and CCTV be installed so that this area can be monitored 24 hours a day. In addition, we will also place appropriate signs as a reminder to users. I will discuss the type of sign most suitable for placement on both sides."

LLM and PLUS have deployed plastic canvas and increased patrols at the Menora Tunnel site while permanent long-term engineering solutions are being evaluated.

Does PLUS Have Sensor Monitoring Systems for Slopes in Malaysia?

Currently, there are no specialised sensors installed at the Menora Tunnel site to detect slope movement. However, PLUS Malaysia Berhad operates rainfall distribution sensors at strategic locations that provide direct notifications when heavy rain is detected, enabling proactive patrol deployment.

Mohd Yusuf Abdul Aziz, Senior General Manager of Operations at PLUS, confirmed that despite the lack of dedicated slope movement sensors at this specific site, the company's existing rainfall monitoring network provides real-time alerts. When heavy rain is detected, PLUS dispatches patrol teams to monitor conditions in the area.

"So, we know when it's raining heavily because we receive real-time notifications. When there is heavy rain, we will deploy patrol teams to monitor the situation in this area."

— Mohd Yusuf Abdul Aziz, Senior General Manager of Operations, PLUS Malaysia Berhad, as reported by Careta

PLUS relies on real-time rainfall notifications at strategic locations rather than slope movement sensors for early warning at Menora Tunnel.

Is the Menora Tunnel Route Still Safe for Malaysian Drivers?

Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin has given assurances that the route remains safe, while PLUS and LLM will continue to monitor the area and take immediate action if there are signs of further movement. This reassurance is critical for the many Malaysian drivers who regularly use the North-South Expressway through Perak.

The left lane of the North-South Expressway southbound at Kilometer (KM) 263.6 was previously closed for approximately one kilometre as a precautionary measure following the incident. The closure was implemented in stages by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) together with highway operator PLUS to ensure user safety.

Nizar also mentioned that the state and federal governments will examine what assistance can be provided if the remediation work falls outside the scope of existing concession agreements: "We will also look at safer, more stable and appropriate methods for the long term. If the work involves areas outside the scope of the existing agreement, the federal and state governments will look at the form of assistance that can be provided."

The Perak government and PLUS have confirmed the Menora Tunnel route remains safe for continued use with enhanced monitoring during heavy rain events.

What Long-Term Solutions Are Considered for Slope Stability in Perak?

Long-term solutions under consideration involve examining safer, more stable and appropriate methods for permanent slope stabilisation. The initial mitigation works by LLM and PLUS are explicitly described as temporary stabilisation measures, not permanent fixes, with monitoring continuing until a permanent solution is implemented.

The state government will evaluate methods involving structural engineering and potential support from federal authorities if the required works extend beyond the scope of the existing highway agreement. Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin indicated the federal and state governments will determine what form of assistance can be provided for areas outside the current concession scope.

Perak's long-term slope stabilisation plan requires federal coordination if works exceed the existing PLUS-LLM concession agreement scope.

Who Is This Monitoring System For in Malaysia?

The proposed 24-hour CCTV monitoring system for the Menora Tunnel slopes is relevant to all Malaysian expressway users, particularly regular commuters on the North-South Expressway route between northern states and the Klang Valley. It addresses the specific local pain point of landslide risk during the tropical monsoon season, when rainfall frequently exceeds normal thresholds.

For Malaysian drivers, the CCTV monitoring proposal represents a public safety infrastructure that aims to provide early warning and rapid response capabilities. Given Malaysia's 240V power standard and tropical climate conditions, any such system installed would need to be designed for continuous outdoor operation in high humidity and heavy precipitation environments. The system is intended for users who rely on the North-South Expressway's safety and operational integrity during adverse weather conditions.

The CCTV monitoring system is designed to protect North-South Expressway users between Perak and the Klang Valley, where monsoon rainfall regularly exceeds 60mm thresholds.

Common Questions

What caused the slope collapse near Menora Tunnel?

Heavy rainfall measuring 65–66mm, compared to the normal 40mm level, caused soil movement that toppled a tree approximately 35 metres above the slope. The fallen tree, not rocks, triggered the landslide according to state officials.

Will the Menora Tunnel route be closed for repairs?

No. The route remains safe for use according to Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin. The left lane southbound at KM 263.6 was temporarily closed for about one kilometre as a precaution but operations continue with increased PLUS patrols and monitoring.

Does PLUS have sensors to detect future landslides?

PLUS has rainfall distribution sensors at strategic locations that provide real-time notifications during heavy rain, enabling patrol deployment. No specialised slope movement sensors are currently installed at the Menora Tunnel site, though 24-hour CCTV monitoring has been proposed.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the original report published by Careta on 14-09-2026, titled "Kerajaan negeri Perak cadang pasang CCTV pantau cerun sekitar Terowong Menora 24 jam," sourced from NST (New Straits Times). All quotations, statistics, and factual claims are derived from this single source. No additional sources were synthesised.

All currency, measurement, and geographic references have been preserved as originally reported in Malaysian context. Technical terminology such as CCTV, KM, mm, and concession agreements have been retained without modification. This article was last updated on the current date. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the source article cited above.