THE Energy and Natural Resources Ministry has been ordered to investigate the massive flooding that occurred in several villages in Baling, Kedah, earlier this month, its minister Takiyuddin Hassan said today.

The Kota Baru MP said he recently received the directive from the Prime Minister’s Office for his ministry to be the lead agency to investigate the floods in Baling.

“This investigation will be chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Government (Mohd Zuki Ali) himself, but the lead agency (for this investigation) is the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.

“So I expect the results of the investigation from this (Baling) incident soon and the report be made public,” Takiyuddin said during the second reading of the National Forestry (Amendment) Bill 2022.

Takiyuddin said under the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry, there were many division such as the Forestry Department, Department of Minerals and Geoscience, Department of Surveying and Mapping, Department of Wildlife and various departments that could aid in the investigation.

In the July 4 incident, more than 800 houses in 12 villages were inundated. It was the worst-ever flood recorded in Kupang, triggered by a water column that began upstream on Gunung Inas.

Strong currents swept away 16 houses, caused serious damage to 18 homes and left more than 700 homes with some level of damage.  

A woman, her 14-year-old son and her pregnant daughter-in-law died after their house in Kampung Iboi was swept away during the floods.

Wong Hon Wai (Bukit Bendera-PH) asked if a white paper would be tabled in parliament to be debated based on the findings from the investigation.

Takiyuddin said that the government would table a white paper on the disaster if there is a need.

“This process is just a preliminary investigation.

“If this investigation shows that there is a need for a white paper, I think there will be no obstacle from the government to table a white paper in parliament. I will ensure this,” he said.

Earlier today, Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the flooding in Baling was because a reservoir built on a Musang King durian plantation at Gunung Inas had burst.

Tuan Ibrahim said that the cause of the floods was determined following studies conducted by his ministry. – July 18, 2022.