Bukit Merah will not be declared disaster zone - Ahmad Zahid

The Federal government has no intention of declaring Bukit Merah as a disaster zone following the critical water level at Tasik Merah, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The decision was made after taking into consideration various implication including financial and legal aspects.

"The government is aware and concerned about what is happening in Bukit Merah. But it will not declare the area as a disaster zone after taking into consideration the legal aspect and the compensation that must be made to the farmers," he said after chairing the high-level Cabinet Committee on Disasters at the Prime Minister's Department, today.

Ahmad Zahid however said the government will help Perak to tackle water issues in Bukit Merah.

Before this, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir said if the Bukit Merah area was declared disaster zone, the National Security Council (NSC) could help the affected farmers, especially around Kerian to assess the losses.

READ: Announcement Thursday whether Bukit Merah, Timah Tasoh to be declared disaster areas

READ: Dwindling water level: Bukit Merah may be declared disaster zone

Zambry also urged the relevant authorities, including the agriculture and agro-based industry ministry to view the situation in the area as critical since it involved an area of 5,000 hectares of paddy crop.