THE Kelantan government must take immediate action to save 3,000 Orang Asli at the Lojing Highlands in Gua Musang as their livelihood is threatened by farming activities that are destroying the environment, the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) said.

Its president, Mohideen Abdul Kader, said the setting up of farms in the forest have led to several incidences flash floods and landslides.

“Since 2017 to June 2022, there have been seven landslides and flash floods,” Mohideen said in a statement.

“CAP views this as a serious issue and we urge the government to investigate and take the appropriate action.”

Kampung Jedip, Brooke Lama, King Kong, Sang Wai A dan B, Sendrop, Bahong, Mendrop, Hendrop and Kampung Jekjok were reported to be affected by farming activities.

Mohideen said apart from landslides and floods, there was concern that the use of pesticides and chemicals could pollute the water source to the villages. 

“We also urge the state government to make their investigations public.

“In future, we hope that the state government will stop the farming activities and instead replant suitable trees to rehabilitate the forest and return the area its status as a forest reserve,” Mohideen added. 

In July, the Kelantan government said that a number of farmers operating at the Lojing Highlands in Gua Musang have violated Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) rules.

Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Nik Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said some of these farmers had already been charged in court, some were ordered to cease farming operations while others were fined for breaching the regulations.

However, Nik Mohd Amar said the state government could not clarify whether the claims of river pollution in Gua Musang caused by the massive land clearing for farming were true.

Despite having failed the EIA, the farmers continued to plant more vegetable varieties, such as tomatoes and long beans.

Many were found to have failed to adhere to EIA guidelines including having good farming management practices such as proper waste disposal. Their failure to observe environmental guidelines could lead to soil erosion as well as other environmental issues that affect the nearby rivers.

The Orang Asli who live in nearby the highlands also claimed that two rivers that used to be their main sources of livelihood were polluted following the unchecked agricultural activities upstream.

The rivers are Sungai Belatok and Sungai Brooke, and the pollution have raised concerns among some 3,000 Orang Asli. – September 19, 2022.