Karak mudslide: Authorities deny incident caused by logging activities

The Pahang State Forestry Department has denied that the mudslide incident at the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway (KLK) was caused by logging activities at the Lentang Forest Reserve.

Its director, Datuk Mohd Paiz Zimmermann insisted that no logging activities have been conducted in the area, including the Tenaga Nasional Berhad's (TNB) project route from Bentong to Lentang as claimed by some quarters.

"It (mudslide) may have been caused by the slopes giving way. In terms of logging activities, there is none.

"It has been some time since the logging activities had stopped," he told reporters after the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony between Yayasan Amir Trust School and Yayasan Pahang here today.

Mohd Paiz was commenting on allegations made by Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia (Peka) that linked excessive logging activities at the Lentang Forest Reserve to the said TNB's project route as the cause of the mudslide.

"The area mentioned by the NGO has not been developed yet. We have discussed this matter. Aina (eco-resort Tanah Aina Fareena) and Peka already know this matter.

"I cannot comment (further) on this. All I can say it, no logging activities are taking place at the mudslide area," he added.

READ: Karak mudslide: Concessionaire suspects existence of logging activities

Earlier, Fire and Rescue Department deputy director (Operations) Datuk Soiman Jahid also confirmed that the mudslide at KM52.4 of the KLK yesterday evening was nat caused by logging activities but a broken water reservoir on a hilltop.

"Based on our aerial survey, there are logging activities but they are conducted in a structured manner. It is the water reservoir on top of the hill that had burst," said Soiman during his observation at the mudslide area today.

He also believed that the same incident could occur in the future.

PHOTOS: Aftermath of the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway mudslide