KUALA LUMPUR: The mudslide on Nov 11 was not triggered by logging, says Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
Wan Junaidi, who affirmed this today said the incident was caused by debris which fell from a steep slope above the highway and breached a dam.
"Falling rocks and 30-year-old logs which had been stripped of bark were among the debris that had floated into and accumulated over the years in the coffer dam built by the concessionaire.
"Due to the rapid flow of water and the trapped debris the dam burst," he said.
Wan Junaidi said the debris originated from a permanent forest reserve located on higher ground where logging was strictly prohibited.
He made this observation from his helicopter ride which revealed no logging or land clearing activities in the area.
Wan Junaidi however said that he would wait for further reports.
Reporting by Veena Babulal, Hani Shamira Shahrudin and Iskandar Tajuddin