GUA MUSANG, Feb 22 — Gua Musang MP, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, does not exclude the possibility that uncontrolled land clearing for agriculture and logging activities are the main causes of the massive floods, which hit Kelantan last December.
He said these activities had resulted in the riverbeds of several main rivers, especially Sungai Belatop in Lojing, to rise and the rivers to overflow during heavy rain in the monsoon season.
“I don’t dismiss the possibility that these activities had caused the recent major floods, and residents in low-lying, food-prone areas in Hulu Kelantan must be prepared in facing the monsoon in future.”
He said this in his speech at the Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sri Wangi 2, Parent-Teacher Association annual general meeting here today.
Tengku Razaleigh, who is also Gua Musang Umno division chief, said the Orang Asli in several villages in Pos Brooke and Lojing had previously voiced their concerns over uncontrolled land clearing.
“Their worries turned to reality when the massive flooding occurred and we did not expect the flood waters to rise so fast,” he said.
Tengku Razaleigh said the authorities should monitor closely the land clearing and logging activities in protecting the environment. — Bernama
