KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 — The government will provide special compassionate payments to the families of those killed in the Batang Kali landslide this morning, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced tonight.

Anwar said the National Disaster Management Agency would channel the funds to the Selangor secretary for disbursement.

"RM10,000 for each victim who died. RM1,000 for all other surviving victims (to be paid to the head of each household),” he announced.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed at the site of the incident that the death toll from the disaster was now 21 people, with a dozen more still missing.

According to earlier reports, the landslide hit several campsites near the Father’s Organic Farm in Batang Kali, on the alternative road to Genting Highlands in Pahang near Gohtong Jaya, early this morning.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has ordered the indefinite suspension of all outdoor recreational activities in the affected area.