SLIM RIVER: Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad has denied claims of illegal logging after logs and trees were carried away by a flood here yesterday.
"I don't think this is a result of illegal logging because sometimes wood is left behind and then gets washed away by strong currents," he told reporters after visiting the site of a collapsed bridge along Jalan Slim River-Behrang Ulu today.
Also present were Perak police chief Datuk Azizi Mat Aris, Perak Public Works Department director Zambri Mat Kasim, and Perak Water Board general manager Lokman Abd Rahim.
Saarani said the Public Works Department will clear the wood debris today.
"The cleanup will be carried out immediately because we don't want any more debris to be carried downstream if it rains again this afternoon," he said.
Yesterday, it was reported that scores of people were left stranded after a burst dam in Kampung Ulu Slim, near Kampung Slim caused a powerful surge of water, flooding their homes.
The burst dam, which followed intense rainfall, also led to the collapse of three bridges.