Shahidan warns against uncontrolled land clearing in Lojing Highlands

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim has warned of firm government action against the allegedly uncontrolled opening of land for agriculture in the Lojing Highlands that he said could trigger landslides like in Bertam Valley.

The vegetable farming entrepreneurs in the area were boldly defying the regulations imposed by the authorities because they could be under the protection of gangsters, he told reporters after a visit to the Lojing Highlands late yesterday.

Shahidan said the Department of Environment, Department of Agriculture, Land and District Office and other enforcement agencies would have to act more firmly without heed for any threats from gangsters.

"It is more important for us to discharge our responsibilities and tackle the problem or Lojing will cease to be a tourist destination," he said.

Shahidan said the entrepreneurs only focused on their lucrative revenue without considering whether their action was destroying the environment, although they had the licence to farm in some of the areas.

He said the once-clear rivers of Lojing had turned murky and muddy due to the uncontrolled opening of land.

Shahidan said he would discuss with the Kelantan government on the need to take firm action against those destroying the environment in Lojing.