GEORGE TOWN – The devastating aftermath of the floods in Kupang, Baling has put the spotlight on Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s response to the planned Musang King plantation in Gunung Inas.
Questions also arose over the state’s role in the purported clearing of the hill after letters indicating the Sanusi administration gave approvals for the plantation in February.
In the letters sighted by The Vibes, the state assembly met in April last year and agreed to approve a 2,000ha durian plantation in Gunung Inas, which would be developed by a private company.
It was addressed to the state Environment Department (DoE) director at Menara Zakat in Jalan Telok Wanjah here.
The letters were sent in view of a notice from DoE under Section 31 of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
Usually, such notices are issued to compel the occupier of the land to install mitigation measures to protect the land.
It was reported that the company spokesman said it had the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) approval for the plantation.
This is despite Sanusi insisting in a recent press conference that a stop-work order was issued in 2020.
Immediately after the floods, on Monday, he declined to confirm whether the floods were caused by the durian plantations in Gunung Inas.
“It has not been confirmed (either because of the durian farms). Don’t blame them.”
He also brought up previous state administrations, pointing to their decisions that led to the Kupang floods and mud floods.
The Vibes has reached out to the menteri besar’s office for comments.
Meanwhile, Kedah DAP chairman and Derga assemblyman Tan Kok Yew said Sanusi has to be transparent about the matter.
The floods took three lives and displaced thousands of villagers.
In addition, some 1.8 million residents in neighbouring Penang had to put up with water supply disruptions for at least four days after muddy waters flowed into the main intake at the Sg Dua water treatment plant.
Sanusi took over as menteri besar in 2020 after his party PAS with Bersatu teamed up with Umno to oust the state Pakatan Harapan administration led by Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir. – The Vibes, July 10, 2022
