An opposition leader today blamed the mismanagement of the environment as one of the main reasons behind the floods in Johor.

"Massive illegal logging is believed to have caused the uncontrollable floods especially in Segamat where thousands are stranded," said Johor DAP chairperson Dr Boo Cheng Hau.

In a statement, he said Johor DAP was informed of large-scale illegal logging taking place for the past two years at the edge of a forest reserve in Bekok where several tributaries pass through Segamat town into the Muar river.

"We warned the authorities of the dangers of such large-scale logging to no avail.

"The Forestry Department and state government should have known the impact of forest destruction in causing the loss of the 'sponging effect'," he added.

Tropical rain forests are known to have a 'sponging effect' by cushioning heavy rainfall and preventing or minimising floods.

Boo said floods in other areas such as Johor Bahru City, Kulai and Skudai were caused by poorly monitored housing development projects and an outdated drainage system.

'Pay for rescue'

Meanwhile, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng criticised the rescue operations as being in a state of disarray.

"Clearly the state governments in Johor and Melaka are symbols for bad and irresponsible governance where there is no planning and crisis management to reduce losses from flooding.

"The government should admit their inability to cope and call for international help to deal with rising flood waters if they do not improve their rescue work to avoid further loss of lives and damage to property," he said in a statement.

Another DAP leader, Seputeh parliamentarian Teresa Kok highlighted allegations of rescue personnel demanding money from victims in return for help.

"I urged the government to investigate this and handle the various complaints made by the flood victims," she said.

In a related development, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth also criticised the poorly managed rescue operations.

Its chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin said the government must be more aggressive in handling the situation.

The floods which have spread to six states has claimed several lives and forced more than 80,000 people to evacuate.