Loggers to help in clearing operation
Copyright 2000
New Straits Times (Malaysia)
December 22, 2000
By Mimi Syed Yusof
IPOH, Thurs. - Timber concession holders in Bukit Slim and Bukit Tapah forest reserves have been asked to help the State Forestry Department clear the remnants of felled logs which have been left on the banks of the Sungkai river. These logs have been swept down by the mudslide from Gunung Romok which covered eight villages along the Sungai Sungkai early last month.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said a team from the department was currently involved in the clearing operations.
He said the logs must be cleared immediately so that it would not clog up the area and cause any further damage.
The concessionaires have been given the permit to log a total area of 240ha at the forest reserves. However only two had carried out logging since 1998.
Speaking to reporters after presenting Hari Raya cookies to members of the security forces, Tajol Rosli said once the logs were cleared, work to build a bridge across the Sungkai river would commence.
The concrete bridge, costing RM500,000 will replace the suspension bridge connecting Kampung Perlok Lama with Felda Sungai Klah and Kampung Segar Macang which was washed away last month.
Tajol Rosli said the construction of the bridge had been given priority to provide villagers with an access route to the villages.
It is also the shortest route for students from Kampung Perlok Lama to go to the Felda Sungai Klah primary school and Sungai Kruit secondary school.
On compensation for the residents of the eight villages, Tajol Rosli said the State Government would extend the necessary assistance.
Tajol Rosli also said the operations centre of the State Disaster Action Committee had been mobilised to monitor flood situations during the festivities.
"At present we are not only concentrating on Sungkai but also on other disaster prone areas in Perak," he said.