BUKIT GELUGOR MP Ramkarpal Singh lashed out at Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan for dismissing calls for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate the devastating floods in Baling, Kedah.
“Takiyuddin’s justification for not having an RCI is premised on purported investigations already being carried out by the relevant departments such as the forestry department in Kedah.
“However, it is important to note that there have been allegations of a cover up by the state government in relation to what caused the floods, particularly as to whether a 52-acre forest plantation upstream from Kupang, which was heavily affected, had contributed to the floods.
“In light of the severity of the floods and conflicting statements from the leaders, there must be transparency in the investigations as to the cause of the floods as such an incident cannot be allowed to happen again.” he said in a statement.
Yesterday, Takiyuddin dismissed Sahabat Alam Malaysia’s (SAM) calls for an RCI to be established to investigate what caused the floods, which saw several lives lost too.
“I believe that the relevant departments are conducting investigations. If it is related to vegetation replanting, it is under the forestry department. We leave this to them to investigate.
“Hence, there is no need for an RCI and so on; our departments also have their own capabilities and expertise,” Free Malaysia Today reported him as saying.
It is to note that while Kedah Menteri Besari Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor had dismissed claims that the forest clearance work to make way for a Musang King durian plantation near Gunung Inas was responsible for it, he changed his tune yesterday.
New Straits Times reported Sanusi as saying that he was puzzled on how the plantation received greenlight from the Department of Environment (DOE), given the elevation of the terrain.
Gov’t should act fast
“I believe every plantation requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). How was the EIA approved? There is a regulation in the law which states that any highland ground over 1,000 feet (304 metres) must not be touched,” he was reported as saying.
Touching on the matter, Ramkarpal said that an RCI would be the best platform for the case to be investigated in detail as the commissioners have the power to receive all the evidence and examine all persons pertaining to the matter.
As such, the DAP leader added, the findings would allay any fears of a cover up. Other experts may also be summoned to shed light on the matter.
“Moreover, Section 3(1)(c) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1950 allows for the enquiry to be held in public which ought to be done in this case, given the conflicting versions above.
“The people, particularly Kedahans, have a right to know what caused this disaster and the Government should advise the Yang di Pertuan Agong to convene an RCI urgently for the sake of transparency,” Ramkarpal quipped. – July 8, 2022
