KUALA LUMPUR – Cameron Highlands residents are up in arms over a project approved by its district council that will see development on a plot of land in the Ulu Bertam forest reserve.
The project, spanning 20.77ha, is set to be undertaken by Casa Inspirasi Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary company of LBS Holding Sdn Bhd, which had in March last year signed a joint venture agreement with the Cameron Highlands District Council.
With a gross development value of RM1.5 billion, the project will be taking place on land that is said to have a gradient of more than 35º and is also classified as an Environmentally Sensitive Area (Level 1). This puts it at risk if the area is not properly maintained.
In a petition calling for the district government to halt the project, it said that the development project will be in opposition with the State Green Border Initiative by Pahang Regent Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, which had been passed by the Pahang government in November.
On November 5, the Pahang government had approved of the initiative, with Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail assuring that the state would gazette government land that had been identified in the affected border areas.
“This development project goes against what has been decreed by the Pahang regent as it will involve land in the forest reserve areas of Mosser Forest bordering Ulu Bertam, which are areas protected by the initiative,” the petition said, adding that the area also acts as a water catchment for the nearby Brinchang water treatment plant.
It added that the forest houses unique animals and plants, along with its river being a home to very sensitive aquatic life species as categorised by the Irrigation and Drainage Department.
“Year after year, forest areas are plundered by irresponsible parties for never-ending development projects without considering the negative effects on local ecosystems.
“These projects are initiated regardless of the many buildings in the area that are currently empty as local residents are not renting there,” read the petition.
It said it is hoping the district council will seriously address the matter and avoid decisions benefiting only one party.
The petition has been making its rounds on social media, garnering upwards of 4,500 signatures at press time.
The Vibes has reached out to LBS Bina Holding Sdn Bhd for comment and was told that the company is in talks with its subsidiary, with a statement expected to be released sometime this month.
Meanwhile, attempts to contact Cameron Highlands MP Ramli Mohd Nor have not been successful. – The Vibes, January 26, 2022
