Pahang govt indirectly admits to causing mud flood

November 7, 2014

Teresa Kok says menteri besar admitted to being aware of stripped forests yet did nothing about it.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Pahang state government has indirectly admitted it failed to prevent excessive land-clearing in Cameron Highlands which resulted in the tragic mud floods in Ringlet, DAP vice-chairman Teresa Kok said today.

Kok said Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob had acknowledged the fact that excessive land-clearing resulted in the mud flow but still did not take any action.

Adnan had said he had surveyed Cameron Highlands many times by air and noticed that the forests had been stripped bare due to excessive land-clearing, whether done legally or illegally.

He also admitted that the state government had done nothing to check the situation for fear that the people would immediately attack and blame the government for being uncaring.

Kok said Adnans remarks were merely to divert attention that the state government had failed in its responsibility to prevent excessive land-clearing.

She said Adnan was also admitting that the government had failed to carry out enforcement.

Does he think that he can convince the public that due to the governments fear of being criticised, the state government has refrained from doing what it should do? she asked.

Kok said the occurrence of mud flows would prevent tourists from visiting Cameron Highlands, which was one of the most popular tourists spots in Malaysia.

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Pahang govt indirectly admits to causing mud flood