KUALA LUMPUR – Bukit Tabur proprietors have come together to clarify their side of the story after widespread attention over unknown clearing works done by one of the landowners, which unsettled residents and hikers in the area.
Speaking on behalf of the landowners of Bukit Tabur East, Azhar Ahmat said: “I must clearly state that the matter we are discussing today is not an encroachment issue because the land(s) within the area are privately owned by individuals.
“The real issue today is that activities that were done up at the site may have been carried out without proper, documented approvals.
“This is the job of the authorities. They should find out what is actually going on, and hopefully inform us of what can and cannot be done so misunderstandings can be avoided in the future.”
Azhar said most of the neighbouring landowners are afraid to say anything after the recent news.
The group gathered near the east trail entrance this morning, causing a temporary halt to a planned survey of the site organised by the resident groups in the area.
The landowner of the contentious clearing activity was not present.
Nurul Hikmah Abd Khalid, a property lawyer and one of the landowners, said it is a good thing people are discussing the matter “because Kemensah and also Bukit Tabur are heritage sites that are more than 200 million years old”.
“It is a site rich in treasures. Precious materials like minerals that are not available elsewhere are found here, and it is home to many animals that are endangered.
“If the government truly views it as a valuable heritage and wants to preserve it, it must be done the right way. As a landowner myself, of course we want to develop it and do not want it to be left idle.”
She added that there are no set procedures for landowners to conduct agricultural activity near the Klang Gates Quartz Ridge.
It was reported in 2019 that quartz ridge was going to be gazetted by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry as a national heritage site under the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645).
“This thing became a big deal because clearing works are being carried so close to such a valuable area.”
When asked what she thinks the unknown clearing is for, she said she suspects the landowner being investigated wants to make space for a durian orchard.
She added that the terrain and temperature atop Bukit Tabur provides a good environment to plant fruit.
“The government should clearly tell landowners the dos and don’ts because we see it purely as agricultural land, and legally, we are not violating anything (if activities are for agricultural purposes).
“The burden of proof or burden to protect this area should be shouldered by the government.” – The Vibes, September 12, 2021
