Permits for Cameron farmers just approval letters, claims DAP rep

CAMERON POLLS | Tanah Rata assemblyperson Chiong Yoke Kong today claimed that the 51 forestry 'permits' granted by the Pahang government to Cameron Highlands farmers were merely approval letters (surat kelulusan).

According to Chiong, the farmers later realised this when applying for migrant workers with the Labour Department, when they were told they still require certificates from Pahang Forestry Department.

“The farmers could not apply for new migrant workers... which forced me to lodge an appeal with the Labour Department to manage their applications manually," he said during a kopitiam talk in Ringlet today, as part of Pakatan Harapan's by-election campaign for Cameron Highlands.

Chiong also took aim at Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail's promise to issue another 21 forestry permits – which allows farmers to use forest reserve land for agricultural purposes – this Wednesday.

As the DAP lawmaker said, the issuance of the permits had been decided on by the Pahang government before the by-election was announced, with 116 to be issued in total.

He also urged voters not to fall for the menteri besar's "help each other" remark, as the permits will be issued in stages.

Yesterday, Wan Rosdy urged Chinese voters in Cameron Highlands to back BN candidate Ramli Mohd Nor in the coming polls.

He said that the lot of local farmers would improve, but stressed that he did not want to promise anything with regard to temporary occupational licences (TOL).

Going up against Ramli in this Saturday's by-election is Harapan candidate M Manogaran, along with two independents, Sallehudin Ab Talib and Wong See Yee.

 -Mkini