Temiar group lodges police report over land encroachment activities

 

A group of Orang Asli residents of the Temiar tribe from Kampung Mendrod and Kampung Jelgek B in Pos Brooke, lodged a police report on Sunday (July 23), claiming land encroachment activities in the water catchment areas near their settlement.

A Kampung Mendrod resident, Rama Ajom, 44, said they decided to lodge a police report at the Gua Musang district police headquarters, as they were dissatisfied upon finding that there were encroachment activities in the area, which were believed to be for the purpose of planting durian trees.

He said if the activities continue, they will cause pollution in the water catchment from the hills used by about 500 Orang Asli residents as a result of the farming activities.

It is believed the activities are being carried out by private companies since January.

“Prior to this, we have consulted and held discussions with several parties, including the private companies involved, not to carry out plantation activities in the border area with our village.

“In fact, we have reported this problem to the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa), but it seems all in vain.

“It is believed the state government has given approval to the companies involved to carry out plantation activities,” he claimed when met by reporters in Bandar Baru today.

‘Burial grounds at risk’

A representative of the Kampung Jelgek B residents, Ramli Ajom, 34, expressed his disappointment in seeing more and more land being encroached on, which would have an impact on the area’s traditional burial grounds and land cultivated by the residents.

He said the settlement they lived in existed more than 60 years ago, but is now increasingly threatened by land encroachment activities.

“We represent the residents of two villages, hoping that authorities such as the state government, the land and district office, the Department of Environment and Jakoa will help the Orang Asli community in the area.

“Please don’t destroy the Orang Asli's water source when opening a plantation. Do research first where our water source is before doing cultivation,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Jakoa spokesperson when contacted, said the department took notice of the report lodged and will hold a discussion in the near future to resolve problems faced by the Orang Asli community.

- Bernama