BERUAS – A 121ha site at Sg Segari here belongs to the Perak Agricultural Development Corporation (PPPNP) and has been approved for prawn farming since 2019, says Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad.
Saarani, who is also PPPNP chairman, said several processes were involved before the land was handed over to PPPNP for prawn farming, including obtaining input from all the relevant departments and agencies.
He said this included views from the Environment Department, Irrigation and Drainage Department, and Agriculture Department to determine whether the area is suitable for prawn farming.
“After the views were obtained and all the reports were positive, the land was approved for PPPNP’s use.
“This land legally belongs to PPPNP. When we receive land, we should utilise it and gain income, so we can pay taxes and premiums. If it’s not to be utilised, what’s the purpose of acquiring it?” he said when met by reporters while visiting the site here yesterday.
He was commenting on a statement by non-governmental organisation Friends of the Earth Activists Association (Kuasa), which claimed that the area does not have planning permission nor earthworks approval from the Manjung Municipal Council to start prawn farming.
Saarani said PPPNP selected nine companies in December last year to lease the land for five years to carry out prawn farming.
“PPPNP receives the rental (fee). This is its income. This is why the tenants are cleaning this area and clearing these trees (mangroves), as this is their (leased) land.
Meanwhile, Saarani said PPPNP will help replant the mangroves in the river reserve that had previously been cleared by illegal prawn farmers in the area.
“The villagers want the river reserve area (to be maintained) so they can earn a living. They have also asked for mangrove trees to be planted to demarcate the border (of the river reserve) and are ready to help.
“What’s wrong with that? We will replant the mangroves (in the river reserve area) for our mutual benefit. We (the state government) will offer assistance and the villagers will help us plant them,” he said. – Bernama, January 31, 2021
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