[UPDATED] Logging not to blame for Baling floods: Takiyuddin

KUALA LUMPUR – Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan has denied logging activities are taking place in the Gunung Inas forest reserve following the severe flash floods and water column phenomenon in Baling yesterday.

He said the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department’s investigation found that the trees in the flood debris are not timber as they were swept away with their roots intact.

“We want to correct misconceptions that active logging was the cause of the floods along Sg Kupang in Baling,” he told Bernama.

He added that the department’s official report stated that there is a forest development in the reserve since 2019 with approval from the Kedah government.

He said the forest development was carried out for reforestation purposes and so far, more than 5,000 trees had been planted in the ​​52ha area.

Mud floods in Baling yesterday caused hundreds of residents to be evacuated to several relief centres with more than 80 houses affected.

The Consumers’ Association of Penang said in a statement that logging and land-clearing to plant Musang King durian trees at Gunung Inas are contributing factors to the severe floods and mudflows in Baling.

The consumer advocate group said it had several times urged the Kedah government, Forestry Department and Baling district office to resolve the issue as tens of thousands of residents in 11 villages are paying the price in the latest disaster.

It warned of recurring floods if the state government fails to resolve the environmental woes there.

Meanwhile, the bodies of three missing family members, including a four-month pregnant woman, were found today after strong currents swept their house away when floods hit Kg Iboi, Kupang here yesterday.

They are housewife Salmah Mat Akib, 53, her pregnant daughter-in-law Nurul Anis Abu Hassan, 23, and son Mohd Khairul Ikhwan Nor Azman, 14.

The Fire and Rescue Department announced today that Salmah and Anis were found dead at about 9.30am, while Khairul Ikhwan was found at 11.55am. – The Vibes, July 5, 2022