THE Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry has ordered a report on the October 18 flash flood at Zoo Negara to prevent a recurrence, said its minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

“We will get detailed information to determine the cause of the incident and what the best way is to overcome the problem,” he told a press conference after launching the National Biodiversity Conference and the National Biodiversity Policy 2022-2030 in Putrajaya today.

The media reported 50 visitors were rescued by Zoo Negara staff with a truck and tractor after they were stranded at the zoo that was hit by the flash flood at 5pm.

Zoo Negara deputy president Rosly@Rahmat Ahmad Lana was quoted as saying the incident caused the zoo to suffer more than RM300,000 in losses.

In another development, Nik Nazmi said the government would look into the feasibility of proposed legislation against transboundary smog.

“Based on the same law enforced in Singapore (the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act 2014), the republic confirmed that some companies have been brought in for investigation, but it is quite challenging to prosecute the responsible parties.

On October 12, Nik Nazmi said the government would continue examining the need to introduce a bill on transboundary smog. – Bernama, October 24, 2023.