By Mustakim Ramli
SHAH ALAM, Jan 20 — Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged the Federal government to immediately stop awarding logging concessions in flood-prone areas.
“I recommend putting a stop to all projects that have been approved until the cause has been identified, unless there is a study that the respective areas are safe for logging activities.
“Do not approve new logging activities, regardless of rank or political ideologies,” said the Port Dickson MP while debating the recent flood disaster during a special sitting in Dewan Rakyat earlier today.
Anwar also urged the Federal government to take a firmer stand and take action against logging companies whose activities result in flooding, including forcing them to pay compensation to the victims.
“When the victims incur losses due to the floods, there needs to be regulation for logging companies to pay part of the losses because taxes alone are not enough, since paying taxes does not mean they can damage people's houses.
"The same goes for the wealthy who explore areas or build homes, which also leads to damage to other people's homes," he said.
