KUALA LUMPUR – Some 45 environmental NGOs are calling for an immediate and independent inquiry over the floods that devastated the Bentong district of Pahang.
In a statement today, the groups under the umbrella of the Global Environment Centre said the inquiry must identify actions on flood prevention, mitigation and preparedness.
“The mudflows and log slides, which occurred between December 18 and 19 and turned rivers, roads and villages into seas of mud and timber debris, has led to destruction and damage of hundreds of houses in several villages and the loss of almost 10 lives to date.
“While we acknowledge the swift and immediate action to rescue and help victims of floods, mudflows and log slides over the past week and encourage ongoing action in the future, we strongly believe that there is a dire need for a more holistic and cohesive approach towards flood prevention, mitigation and preparedness.”
While acknowledging climate change as one of the causes of the disaster, NGOs also blamed weak systemic issues on existing infrastructural and support mechanisms.
These, GEC said, include extensive logging, forest clearing at steep hills, and lack of soil erosion controls that must be swiftly investigated.
Bentong district, located in the western part of Pahang, bordering Selangor and Negri Sembilan, comprises steep forested hills rising to between 1,000m and 2,000m, is a water catchment for a number of important rivers such as the Telemong, Bentong and Semantan rivers.
“These forests are also environmentally sensitive areas, important for biodiversity conservation and forming part of the Central Forest Spine conservation zone,” it added.
IT said large-scale logging and forest clearance on steep slopes have been occurring in the region, alleging that these activities were undertaken without Environmental Impact Assessments.
Between December 17 and 19, they claimed not much of the forest was left intact to slow the massive flow of water, soil, logs and forest debris that washed rapidly downstream, leading to devastation in Karak, Bentong, and surrounding villages and townships.
“The muddy water rose so rapidly that many houses were submerged without warning and many were badly damaged as a result of the logs and other debris.
“Logs were also jammed under bridges, blocking the rivers and forcing the water and mud to overflow into the surrounding areas, causing further damage,” said GEC.
The group is also urging a moratorium on forest clearing and logging in Bentong, and demanding that the state and federal governments allocate funds to support post-flood recovery plans to rebuild villages and properties. – The Vibes, December 28, 2021
