Cameron Highland MP G Palanivel is asking for RM40 million allocation to deepen the river today, following the landslide and mud floods which claimed three lives in Cameron Highlands.

 

Palanivel said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had approved a RM40 million budget to prevent a repeat of the Bertam Valley floods that happened last year, due to a dam that was opened, but the funding he is seeking is for the latest disaster.

 

“That day was Bertam Valley. Today was the Ringlet area, so I have requested another RM40 million," Palanivel told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

 

Palanivel, who is also the natural resources and environment minister, said the PM, in response, had asked him to immediately visit the disaster area and then come to the Parliament.

 

"I need another RM40 million to improve the rivers and plant some trees.

 

"This is the third time flash floods has happened there. The people there sometimes live by the rivers so that is another issue," he said.

 

Palanivel said that unlike the Bertam Valley incident, this flash flood cannot be attributed to logging or land clearing but is solely due to the monsoon season and heavy rainfall, coupled by the rivers overflowing.

 

"The issue now is because of rainfall - heavy rainfall. It's a major issue," he said.

 

He also confirmed that the dam near Ringlet will also be opened following rain water filling up the dam.

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