ISSUES related to the safety of highland areas and slopes bordering Pahang and Selangor will be among the focus of cooperation between both states, said Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.

He said the two states also agreed to raise the issues to the federal government, including by proposing the setup of a National Slope Council. 

Wan Rosdy said this at a joint press conference with Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari after a meeting between the Pahang and Selangor governments at Wisma Sri Pahang today. 

Amirudin said it is important to coordinate development efforts in highland areas between the two states. 

“There should be coordinated efforts in highland areas like Genting Highlands, not only in terms of development, but also involving regulations, laws, and monitoring. 

“…this is because both states are experiencing … similar potential risks, and (Selangor and Pahang) have good (tourism) potential,” he said. 

Wan Rosdy said other issues discussed at the meeting were hiking trails in forest reserve areas bordering Pahang and Selangor, joint enforcement of overloaded timber lorries, and the demarcation of state lines.

He said issues linked to raw water supply from Pahang to Selangor, which is expected to start next year, were also brought up at the meeting. 

Wan Rosdy said the two states agreed to enhance cooperation between state government subsidiaries in various aspects, including food security. 

“We can learn from each other… for example in terms of economy, Selangor is ahead of us (Pahang) and maybe in tourism, they (Selangor) can learn from Pahang,” he said. 

Wan Rosdy said several technical committees had been formed to fine-tune matters raised during the meeting before they are discussed again at the second meeting between both state governments. – Bernama, January 27, 2023.