Bernama has reported that Cameron Highlands MP G. Palanivel is in the know about the perpetrator(s) of the illegal land clearing in the area and that he is withholding information from the public, prompting the DAP to urge Palanivel to clear the air regarding Bernama’s claims.

Puchong MP Gobind Singh in a statement today questioned why MP G Palanivel is unwilling to reveal the identity of the mastermind behind the illegal land clearing activities in the constituency that has led to flash floods and land slides.

Palanivel was reported by Bernama as saying that he knew who was behind the land clearing and that he even had photographic evidence but explained that he “cannot say much” or disclose more information.

Gobind Singh demanded today that Palanivel who is also the MIC President, speak up and state if the report by Bernama is true; and if true, should explain why he is mum on the issue that has caused five deaths in the recent mudslide.

“Why is he frightened?”

“Who or what is he afraid of?”

“What could be more important now other than assisting the victims if he has the information and ensuring this doesn’t happen again?” asked Gobind, who said that the people there had suffered great losses.

The Bernama report stated that the Vegetable Farmers’ Association from the Chinese community there had complained to Palanivel in the past about certain parties who were destroying the hills.

“They always complain to me that the hill is being disturbed, the only thing is, ‘something is behind something’, which I cannot reveal too much. I have a few photographs, but I cannot talk too much about it. They are doing some illegal works, this happened (over) the last 10, five years,” he said.

The mudflood and landslides in Kampung Raja, Ringlet Town and Lembah Bertam in Cameron Highlands took five lives on November 5 this year. Over 90 victims from 28 families have been forced to move to an evacuation centre at the Ringlet community hall. -The Rocket