Both Cameron Highlands MP G Palanivel and Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob should bear the brunt of the blame for the Highland mudfloods, says Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.

Kok said that since Adnan ( left ) admitted that the state government had failed to carry out the necessary enforcement, he therefore cannot allow Palanivel to take the blame and responsibility alone.

“Adnan was quoted as saying that if the state government carried out strict enforcement (on excessive land clearing), there would be those who will attack the government for being inhumane.

“(Palanivel) said that the land encroachment is happening all the time and is a big problem in the highlands. (He) said he does not know what’s the source of the problem, although monitoring is done.

“So both Palanivel and Adnan must take responsibility for not taking serious, quick and effective actions and measures to save Cameron Highlands,” she said in a statement today.

Kok ( right ) blasted Palanivel, who is also the Natural Resources and Environment Minister, saying that that if he can claim to not know the problem of the floods, how can he be effective in controlling the land encroachment problem?

Palanivel was also reprimanded by the Pahang’s Sultan Ahmad Shah yesterday for being “not serious” about the tragedy.

On Nov 6, Adnan pointed the finger at the residents for causing the highland floods which claimed the lives of five when a heavy downpour led to a mudflood .

She reiterated that both politicians “must take responsibility” for failing to enforce strict measures upon excessive land clearings.

The  mudflood hit Bertam Valley and Ringet in the highlands late on Nov 5.

It claimed the lives of student R Tunesh, 13, and four Sungai Kabok vegetable farm workers; a Nepali man Md Yousuf Miya 66, and Indonesians Anipan, 48, Suwalis, 40 and Yunita, 41.