By Nik Naizi Husin
Saturday May 29, 2010
CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Illegal land clearing for cultivation has become a big problem in Cameron Highlands that it has prompted a call from the Sultan of Pahang himself.
Sultan Ahmad Shah Sultan Abu Bakar said he had received complaints and assured that the Government would take stern action against the culprits, especially those involved in the most recent case in Kampung Lemoi.
He gave assurance to the orang asli community living there that the issue would be looked into.
We are here for you: The Sultan talking to the orang asli during his visit to Kampung Manson.
Twelve hectares of land on the orang asli settlement in Kampung Lemoi was found to have been illegally cleared and cultivated.
"I have told the district officer (Datuk Mohd Noor Abdul Rani) to do the necessary pertaining to this matter," the Sultan told the orang asli during his visit to Kampung Manson recently.
He said police would be called to assist, if the need arose, in taking actions against those responsible for the land clearing.
He said there were also some who were given approval by the Government to open up land for cultivation but due to greed, went beyond the total hectarage approved.
He warned that the temporary operating licences of these greedy individuals could be cancelled.
Sultan Ahmad Shah said there had to be proper control on land clearing and excessive development in Cameron Highlands.
"It is a tourist spot visited by people from all over the world, so we do not want the environment to be affected by the illegal land clearing.
"If the environment is not protected, this area will face problems in future, such as disrupted water supply," he said, while commending efforts taken by the relevant authorities to tackle the illegal activity.
"I would also like to thank television stations for highlighting this issue for the Government to take note," he added.
New Route to Cameron Highlands from Kuala Lipis to Bertam Valley
Earlier, the Sultan was briefed by Mohd Noor on the new road from Sungai Koyan (in Kuala Lipis) to Lembah Bertam (in Cameron Highlands).
The 79km route is scheduled for completion in August. Work is in progress on the final stretch of 11km.
Sultan Ahmad Shah said that once the road was completed, all buildings next to the road would be vacated.
"I am satisfied with the progress of this project. It is targetted to open by Aug 26," he added.
The new road will be the fourth access to Cameron Highlands, apart from the routes from Tapah, Simpang Pulai (both in Perak) and Gua Musang (Kelantan). -- The Star
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