Orang Asli protest against logging in Gua Musang can be settled

The protest by 200 Orang Asli against logging in Balah permanent forest reserve in Gua Musang, was a misunderstanding.

Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob said they should understand that logging is a source of revenue for the state and they could not insist on stopping it without valid reason.

"Moreover, all the logging was done in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) set by the Forestry Department," he told reporters after opening Lojing sub-district and land office at Pos Brooke here, Thursday.

Ahmad was commenting on the protest by Orang Asli who formed a blockade at Kampung Petei, Pos Bering, here since Sept 26.

The group urged that all logging activities near Orang Asli villages be stopped immediately, claiming that they destroy the environment.

On Monday, the Kelantan government ordered the company to suspend all logging activities until all the issues could be resolved.

Ahmad said it was only temporary as stopping it for good would affect the state's revenue which would benefit the people.

Asked about the possibility that the Orang Asli were instigated, he said such act should not be accepted because it did not give any benefit. -- Bernama