THE plan by the Kelantan government to make changes to the conservation and development of environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) will continue to encroach on and sideline the rights and welfare of the Orang Asli in the state, community leaders said.

The Pos Brooke Orang Asli Village Development and Safety Committee chairman Murad Mat, 44, said the plan would involve the opening of a larger area that would cause the conflicts they are experiencing to worsen.

He said in the long run, the modifications are feared to affect the lives of the new generation of Orang Asli in terms of their settlements and social development.

“We are not rejecting the planned development but for now we disagree because Orang Asli will be affected,” he said.

“There are no more perfect areas and settlements for us to carry out our way of life, foraging for forest produce and planting.

“Moreover, the water resources in most areas in Tanah Rata Lojing will also become polluted, in addition to the risk of landslides around our settlements and the access to the settlements.”

Murad also expressed concern that the modifications to ESAs will change the culture of the Gua Musang Orang Asli community with the presence of foreign workers, which is currently happening, where many Orang Asli girls are moving to live with the workers.

Kelantan Orang Asli chief penghulu Bidi Ronggeng strongly opposes any forest clearing that involves their settlements, orchards, burial grounds and water catchment areas.

“This government move will cause the Orang Asli settlements to continue shrinking, even though the land demarcation process involving this community has not been completed yet,” he said.

Galas assemblyman Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim agrees and emphasises that there should be no compromise in the ESAs, especially regarding the environment, wildlife conflicts, national park reserve land and water catchment areas.

He said the modification measure will affect not only the people but also cause river pollution, water surge incidents and floods.

“I agree with the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry on this matter because we are witnessing the consequences of opening new areas that disrupt the ecology and forest ecosystem balance, which is one of the causes of conflicts between humans and wildlife,” he said.

“So I also oppose and request the state government to reconsider the proposal.”

The Kelantan government, during the 22nd state executive council meeting on October 21, 2020, decided that permanent reserve forests, except for water sources or catchment areas, would no longer be classified as ESAs.

The implementation of the decision is still in the draft stage of the development plan amendments in Kelantan where the state Town and Rural Planning Department is conducting a publicity and public participation programme from October 11 to November 11. – Bernama, November 4, 2023.