Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has spent more than RM180 million during the past five years to clear the Ringlet Lake and the dam at Bertam Valley of silt and rubbish following development upstream.

NONEEnergy, Green Technology and Water Minister Maximus Ongkili (left) said RM80 million was spent on dredging the silt sediment which was carried out every five years and another RM20 million on annual maintenance.

"Apart from that, RM300,000 is spent every year to clean the lake surface and bed of rubbish, which amounted to 200 tonnes a year," he told reporters during a visit to the area affected by the recent flash flood in Bertam Valley, Ringlet in Cameron Highlands today.

He said the flash floods which occurred on Oct 23 should serve as a reminder to the district office, the Drainage and Irrigation Department, TNB and also the local community on the need for them to work together in planning and managing of the dam and river to prevent the incident from happening again.

NONEIn the 1am incident, flash floods hit Bertam Valley when water which was released from the Sultan Abu Bakar Dam caused the Bertam River to burst its banks.

Three people were drowned in the incident and one died of a heart attack. Eighty houses and about 100 vehicles were damaged.

Ongkili said the law should be enforced to ensure conservation of rivers, dams and water catchment areas.

In view of the current water condition, he reminded the relevant quarters in the Bertam Valley to be on the alert.

He said a more frequent rainfall had been predicted for the next 10 days and suggested TNB to revise its standard operating procedures on the release of water from the dam.

During the visit, Ongkili witnessed the presentation of a cheque for RM200,000 from TNB to the Bertam Valley Flood Victims Humanitarian Fund, which is managed by the Pahang government.

- Bernama