7,000ha hutan simpan Tasik Bera disyaki diteroka secara haram

According to the Pahang State Nature Protection Unit (UPNP), more than 7,000 hectares of the permanent forest reserve Tasik Bera (HSK Tasik Bera) has been illegally logged. In Kuantan, UPNP Head Saifullah Muhammad Ali said that the illegal activity was discovered through a self-enforcement action conducted last Monday involving 160 UPNP personnel, as well as members from the Pahang State Forestry Department, the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) Pahang, and Bera District and Land Office.

"In addition, we also received assistance from Bera Police and Battalion 7's Rapid Response Unit (PGA)," he added.

Saifullah also warned that there were alleged external syndicates from outside Pahang manipulating Orang Asli communities to open up large areas of land under false pretenses of customary land and swampy areas. In the operation, he noted that there was a region with only around six Orang Asli households, yet the investigation covered an area of up to 404.68 hectares.

Last Wednesday, the media reported that police arrested five individuals for allegedly obstructing the UPNP's efforts during their operation in the Tasik Bera Conservation Reserve on September 15. Bera Police Chief Zulkiflee Nazir reported that his officers detained one man and four women aged between 30 and 60 to assist the investigation under Section 186 of the Penal Code.

He said that during the UPNP's self-enforcement operation under the National Forestry Act 1984, a group of individuals was found obstructing and provoking a group of UPNP personnel carrying out their duties.