Floods: Land clearing, illegal felling blamed

Floods: Land clearing, illegal felling blamed

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said he felt that the RM500 million fund that he announced during his visit to Kelantan on Saturday was insufficient.

"I think the amount may not be enough. Maybe there is a need to consider increasing the allocation," he said at the new year's thanksgiving programme and special prayer at SK Pengkalan Kubor 2 here.

Najib joined about 300 people at the school to perform maghrib, isyak and special prayers. He said the proper administration of the government allowed the country to maintain its economy besides having financial resources to meet the people's needs.

"Our economy is growing and next year, hopefully we will generate higher revenue through the goods and services tax implementation. We will use the extra funds to help the funds to help the flood victims," he said.

Earlier, Najib visited Tanah Merah to survey the effects of the flood and meet the victims.

Najib also praised Kemaman for setting a 'gold' standard in flood management. "It started making preparations as early as last April.

"They identified 30 forward bases, they cleared three landing pads for helicopters, they provided additional generator sets and even bought comfortable sleeping bags.

"All these preparations showed efficient and effective flood management," he said after a briefing on the flood situation here at the Kemaman Municipal Council in Chukai.

Meanwhile, Dewan Negara President Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang believes rapacious illegal logging and land clearing may have contributed to the severe floods in Peninsular Malaysia.

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Floods: Land clearing, illegal felling blamed