THE Terengganu Forestry Department has taken swift action by temporarily halting logging activities in the area near Kenyir Lake near Kuala Berang, which is alleged to be the cause of Sungai Lasir turning murky. 

State Tourism, Culture and Information Technology Committee deputy chairman Sulaiman Sulong said it is understood that logging activities in an area about 4km upstream of Sungai Lasir had been halted as soon as the pollution issue was reported in newspapers and social media. 

According to him, the operation is stopped temporarily until the waterfall, which is the focus of tourists to Kenyir Lake, is pristine again.

“The Forestry Department has taken immediate alternative actions to ensure the logging activities around 4km from upstream Sungai Lasir can be prevented or minimised.

“Heavy rain is also believed to have caused the water to turn murky,” he told reporters after officiating the closing ceremony of the tour guide course at Kenyir Lake yesterday. 

Sulaiman was commenting on a report yesterday claiming the water at the Sungai Lasir recreation forest near Kenyir Lake is murky, believed due to logging activities in a nearby area.

Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, in his statement yesterday, said the issue of murky water in Kenyir Lake was due to heavy rain and not because of logging activities.

He was reported to have said that all activities related to forestry and logging are bound by conditions including a suitable distance between the logging area and body of water. – Bernama, September 15, 2022.