BALING: The Kedah government should take appropriate action on the water catchment ponds of a Musang King durian project in Gunung Inas here to avoid any untoward incidents, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The Prime Minister said he was aware that residents in the district were worried over the three large water ponds there.
“We understand residents are anxious, for should the ponds break, it would trigger a tragedy.
“We will leave it to the state government to take quick and necessary action for the safety of the villagers,” he told reporters after a thanksgiving prayer in conjunction with the 65th National Day celebration and for the safety of Baling residents at Dataran Keluarga Malaysia yesterday, Bernama reported.
ALSO READ: Kedah to see mega development related to gas supply
Also present were Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and Baling MP Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim.
On July 27, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan told the Dewan Rakyat that hybrid durian trees, like the Musang King species, are not suitable to be planted in forests in Gunung Inas.
He said Musang King was not among the 11 species approved for Gunung Inas, which had violated the terms on forest farms.
Takiyuddin also said the state government had approved the cultivation of Musang King durians for more than 20% of the allowed area in 2019.
On July 4, a continuous three-hour downpour caused massive floods and another water surge in Baling.
Three people, including a pregnant woman, died while hundreds of others were displaced.
Following this, Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said floods in several villages in Baling were due to a burst reservoir at a Musang King durian plantation in Gunung Inas.
Villagers claimed that a 1,200ha durian plantation on top of Gunung Inas was behind the floods that destroyed their property.
Earlier, the Environment and Water Ministry confirmed that the source of the July 4 floods in several villages in Baling was due to the collapse of a pond built at the peak of Gunung Inas.
When asked about the need to build a dam to overcome floods in Baling, Ismail Sabri said the ministry would be conducting detailed studies if necessary.
Separately, the Prime Minister said cash aid of RM2,500 each was handed to 1,012 flood victims in Kampung Iboi and Kampung Masjid on July 4, which amounted to RM3.6mil.
He also announced an allocation of RM10mil for the construction of a concrete bridge to replace the 2.43m Bailey bridge in Kampung Iboi, built by the Works Ministry with the cooperation of the armed forces.
“The Bailey bridge was completed to replace the bridge which collapsed.
“The concrete bridge is not urgent as the Bailey bridge could still be used for three to five years but not for the long term,” he said, adding that the government would set aside RM4.8mil to repair and restore 17 small bridges in the district.
The Prime Minister also announced the construction of 20 new houses in Desa Keda Sadek, Mukim Kupang, for those affected by the debris flood.
He said eight of the 20 houses which were being built by the Rural Development Ministry would be completed on Oct 5 while 12 more units under the state government would be ready soon.
