Orang Asli reps lodge MACC report over allegations of receiving money from logging firm

IPOH: Representatives of 10 Orang Asli families from Jalong in Sungai Siput lodged a complaint with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over allegations of receiving money from a logging company.

The representatives from Kampung Lawai also brought along about RM15,000 that they claimed were given to them.

The group’s spokesman Mat Seri Pandak said on Oct 3, two representatives from the village called for a meeting with the villagers at the “Dewan Adat”.

Mat Seri said the two men informed the villagers that they together with the village’s Tok Batin had allegedly met a state Forestry Department officer, and the owner of the logging company where RM40,000 was handed to them, to be distributed among the villagers.

“The two claimed that the meeting was held at the Sungai Siput District Forestry Office, and that a total of RM80,000 would be given to the villagers if the logging project was not halted by the state government.

“Many did not want to take the money, but did so because they did not want any problems within the community, ” he told reporters outside the MACC building here.

The group had also lodged a police report over the matter at the Simpang Jalong police station on Oct 7.

They also brought the matter to the attention of the Kumpulan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (Kuasa), who had earlier helped the villagers ensure the logging activities were halted, as it was effecting their livelihood.

Also present at the site was Kuasa field officer Shazni Rashid.

Mat Seri added that each family member were given between RM50 and RM470.

“Thus, the 10 of us want to return the money provided to us and our families to MACC.

“We also hope MACC will investigate the report lodged with them, ” he added.

Shazni claimed the logging company, which was in operation since July this year, had caused pollution to Sungai Korbu, which is the main water source for the district.

He some of the villagers, with assistance of Kuasa, had sent a memorandum for the attention of the Perak Mentri Besar on July 25.

“Before heading to MACC, we sent in another letter to the MB’s office, seeking his intervention, ” he added.

When contacted, state Forestry Department director Datuk Mohamed Zin Yusop said he was not aware about money being handed to the villagers.

“The department will investigate the matter, ” he added.- Star