Bentong water surges not linked to Sungai Gapoi logging, says Pahang Forestry Dept

KUANTAN: The recent water surge incidents in Bentong have nothing to do with logging activities in Sungai Gapoi, says the Pahang Forestry Department.

It said in a statement in response to the latest video by local environmental activist Khaidir Ahmad that a further check of the licence number from the video found that he had gone to the logging area on the Sungai Gapoi government land.

"This area has been reviewed and has been included in the department's press statement on Dec 29, 2021, stating that the condition of Sungai Gapoi is as usual," said the department.

Referring to the statement, the department said it had confirmed that the water surge incidents near the Karak Road Transport Department weighing station and the Sri Telemong bridge had nothing to do with logging activities on the Sungai Gapoi government land.

It said the distance of that area was 16km from the Sri Telemong bridge and 23km from Jalan Bentong-Karak near the weighing station.

The department added that a survey at the location found that the water of Sungai Gapoi was clear and there were no traces of a water surge.

In the video, Khaidir showed logs piled up at a licensed timber storage yard in Pelangai.

He pointed out that these were not debris but full-sized logs.

Khaidir wrote that he believed the trees were cut down from the hilltops of water catchment forests which were supposed to be a buffer for heavy rain.

In response, the state Forestry Department said that Khaidir was trying to mislead the public by giving the impression that the government had given inaccurate information to the public.

Meanwhile, the Department has issued a temporary stop-work order on logging activities in the state during the monsoon and flood season.

The Department said in a letter that a decision had been made to temporarily cease all production and transportation of timber from logging areas in Pahang starting Jan 3 until further notice.

"You are requested to take immediate action according to this order, to lessen the impact on production areas and also the safety of workers,” it said.

"Action will be taken against licence holders violating this order, which can be charged under the National Forestry Act 1984," added the Department in a letter which was confirmed by its director Datuk Dr Mohd Hizamri Mohd Yasin.

Mohd Hizamri said the order to halt logging activities and timber transportation during the flood season was to ensure the safety of department staff, logging workers and road users.