KUALA LUMPUR: An investigation into the recent Baling floods will be headed by the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry and the outcome of the probe will soon be made public, says its minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
Takiyuddin said the Chief Secretary to the Government's Office has ordered the investigation to be led by the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry and it would also involve various relevant ministries and agencies.
"I just received instruction from the Prime Minister's Department, specifically the Chief Secretary to the Government's office, that my ministry was ordered to lead investigations in the incident in Baling.
"It is relevant as under my ministry, there are various agencies and it will be chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Government (Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali) himself," said Takiyuddin during his winding up speech in Parliament on Monday (July 18).
"I hope the outcome of this investigation can be published as soon as possible," added Takiyuddin
Wong Hon Wai (PH-Bukit Bendera) subsequently interjected and asked if the government would table a white paper on the Baling floods.
In response, Takiyuddin said the investigation is at its preliminary stage and the outcome of the probe would determine whether there was a need for a white paper to be tabled.
"If there's a need for a white paper, I feel there's no objection from the government. I will ensure the white paper is tabled in Parliament," added Takiyuddin.
Earlier on Monday (July 18), Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man confirmed that the floods in several villages in Baling, Kedah, was due to a burst reservoir on the Musang King durian plantation at Gunung Inas.
He added that the cause of the floods came following studies by his ministry.
"A few villages were affected by the flooding, including Kampung Iboi, Kampung Padang Lengkuas, Bukit Hangus and Kampung Pisang.
"If we look at the rainfall amount, it wasn't more than 40mm. So, our preliminary studies showed that the reservoir on the plantation had burst, leading to floods," said Tuan Ibrahim in response to RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong), who asked a supplementary question in Parliament.
It was previously reported that local villagers had claimed that a 1,200ha durian plantation on top of Gunung Inas was behind the flood that destroyed multiple properties on July 4 when Sungai Kupang overflowed after a three-hour downpour.
More than 800 houses in 12 villages were flooded and strong currents had swept away 16 houses
