The Bukit Gelugor MP said the public, particularly the people of Kedah, have a right to know what caused the disaster.

“And the government should be magnanimous enough to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to convene a RCI urgently for the sake of transparency,” he said in a statement today.

Energy and natural resources minister Takiyuddin Hassan had said yesterday there was no need to set up a RCI to determine the cause of the floods as the relevant state departments were investigating the matter.

However, Ramkarpal said it was important to note that there had been allegations of a cover-up by the state government on the causes of the floods, particularly as to whether a 21ha forest plantation upstream from Kupang had contributed to the disaster.

He said Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor had also been quick to deny any responsibility, claiming that a Musang King durian plantation in the area had been allowed to carry out farming activities by the previous administration.

However, he said, former menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir had also denied that his administration was responsible, putting the blame on the clearing of forest reserves to make way for the said plantation on the PAS-led state government between 2008 and 2013.

“In light of the severity of the floods and conflicting versions by the above leaders, there must be transparency in the investigations as to the causes as such an incident cannot be allowed to happen again,” said Ramkarpal.

“Those responsible must be held accountable and a RCI would be the best forum for the matter to be thoroughly investigated.”

Three members of a family lost their lives, and hundreds of victims were evacuated to temporary relief centres during the floods on Monday.