He said a report by the forestry department confirmed that there was no active logging activity in the area.

However, forest development has been carried out in ‘compartment eight’ of the forest reserve since 2019 and this was approved by the state government.

This forest development was carried out for reforestation purposes and so far, more than 5,000 trees had been planted on a 52ha site.

“The forestry department has investigated this and confirmed that the trees that were washed away are not from logging activities as their roots were found intact,” he said after taking part in Bernama Radio’s Jendela Fikir programme today.

Hundreds of residents in several villages had to be evacuated to relief centres yesterday after more than 80 houses were affected by the floods.