KUANTAN: Pahang State Forestry Department director Datuk Mohd Paiz Kamaruzaman today refuted claims that the mudslide which occurred at KM52.4 KL-Karak Highway was caused by excessive logging near the Lentang Forest Reserve.
Paiz when met confirmed that logging activities near the forest reserve had ceased about five months ago, thus the claims were not true.
"The construction of high voltage pylons route by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) from Bentong to Lenggeng in Negri Sembilan has also been stopped.
"Currently, we are still in discussion with TNB and other relevant agencies due to some issues. However I can assure you that the mudslide happened not because of logging activities, but perhaps due to slope failures.
"We have to look into details before making any conclusion and I cannot comment further since I have no expertise in this matter," he told reporters after the signing ceremony of MoU between Yayasan Amir Trust School and Yayasan Pahang today.
Also present at the event was Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob.
Paiz also dismissed claims that the trees seen in the mudslide were actually logs from logging activities.
"Logs are usually nicely cut, but in this case you can still see the roots. The trees might have been uprooted following the mudslide.
"We have sent our officers to check on the matter before we can make any conclusions," he said.
Paiz said 25 department staff living at the quarters near the mudslide have also been ordered by the Fire and Rescue Department to move temporarily to a mosque near the area.
Yesterday, one hour of heavy rain caused a major mudslide at KM52.4 of Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway, cutting off both sides of the highway at 6.30pm.