As residents pick up what is left of their lives from the mud and sludge of the floods that hit Kampung Iboi, Kampung Jerai and Kampung Pisang near Baling on Monday, one thing is clear in their minds - the forest clearing next door.

The existence of a 21ha Musang King plantation in the Gunung Inas Forest Reserve about a kilometre upstream from the villages was singled out by villagers met by Malaysiakini as the cause of the devastating silt and debris-laden floods that killed three people and displaced at least 600.

They said such extensive life losses and damage to properties had never occurred before the forest was cleared to make way...