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GUA MUSANG – A group of Orang Asli residents of the Temiar tribe from Kg Mendrod and Kg Jelgek B in Pos Brooke lodged a police report on Sunday (July 23), alleging land encroachment activities in the water catchment areas near their settlement.
A Kg Mendrod resident, Rama Ajom, 44, said they decided to lodge a police report at the Gua Musang district police headquarters as they were dissatisfied upon finding that there were encroachment activities in the area, which were believed to be for the purpose of planting durian trees.
He said if the activities continued, they would cause pollution in the water catchment from the hills used by about 500 Orang Asli residents, resulting from the farming activities believed to be carried out by private companies since the beginning of January this year.
“Prior to this, we have consulted and held discussions with several parties, including the private companies involved, not to carry out plantation activities in the border area with our village.
“In fact, we have reported this problem to the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa), but it seems all in vain because it is believed that the state government has given approval to the companies involved to carry out plantation activities,” he said when met by reporters in Bandar Baru, here today.
A representative of Kg Jelgek B residents, Ramli Ajom, 34, expressed his sadness and disappointment in seeing more and more land being encroached upon, which would have an impact on the area of traditional burial grounds and land cultivated by the residents.
He said the settlement they lived on has existed for more than 60 years, but is now increasingly threatened by land encroachment activities.
“We represent the residents of two villages, hoping that authorities such as the state government, the land and district office, the Environment Department and Jakoa will help the Orang Asli community in the area.
“Please don’t destroy the Orang Asli’s water source when opening a plantation. Do research first where our water source is before doing cultivation,” he said.
Meanwhile, a Jakoa spokesman, when contacted, said that the department took notice of the report lodged by the residents and will hold a discussion in the near future to resolve the problems faced by the Orang Asli community in the area. – Bernama, July 25, 2023
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