THE Government must set up a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to determine the causes and mitigation measures for the recent unprecedented floods in several states, said Penang deputy chief minister II Professor P Ramasamy.
He further questioned the immediate and long-term causes of natural disasters like floods and if they are the effects of climate change or the consequences of man’s relationship with nature.
“Isn’t it time that those in the Government seriously consider the setting up of an RCI on the recent floods? I hope members of Parliament can advocate this step forward,” he remarked.
“Without a responsible and serious inquiry, the floods might be soon forgotten.”
The Perai assemblyman went on to urge the Government to take climate change seriously.
“Scientists have been warning us about climate change for a long time and conferences and seminars have been held to highlight changes in the environment and the measures that need to be taken,” said Ramasamy.
“However, the present nation-state political formula makes it difficult to enforce measures that would mitigate the worst effects of global warming.”
Recounting his recent trip to Karak, Pahang to provide assistance to the flood victims, Ramasamy revealed that due to the massive overflow of the Bentong River, various parts of the Karak town were inundated and housing areas were completely flooded.
“Few kilometres from Karak was the ghastly sight of the Bentong River that burst its banks, bringing down uprooted trees and unwanted timber,” he recalled.
“The jungle and its vegetation simply could not hold the water as result of massive logging. While the logging companies were the main culprits, the illegal clearance of forests were also responsible for the floods.
“The locals I spoke with mentioned the fact that it was not the mere overflow of the rivers that caused the flood but that the debris and logs were what had caused irreparable damage.”
According to Ramasamy, while logging – both legal and illegal – is not confined to Pahang but takes place in other states as well, the recent floods in Bentong and Karak have highlighted the fact that the massive logging had aggravated the situation.
“In Seri Muda, Selangor, it was the lack of ground water storage facilities and poor drainage that caused the floods, and areas meant for water storage were approved for housing projects.
“The actual causes of floods in parts of Pahang and in Selangor might be different but they share one thing in common: human greed condoned by those in Government.
“Immediate action must be taken – the country simply cannot afford anymore man-made natural disasters.” – December 29, 2021
Photo credit: MalaysiaNow
