Pahang exco: Tasek Bera crackdown targets illegal clearing, not Orang Asli

Pahang's State Executive Councillor, Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad, clarified that the recent enforcement actions in Tasek Bera were not targeted at the Orang Asli community. Instead, the focus was on those allegedly exploiting them for large-scale land clearing. He emphasized that the state government is attentive to the needs of the Orang Asli, allowing them to build homes and cultivate small plots of land for their livelihood.

The state would not interfere if they wished to live as a family or cultivate land for a living. During a visit to the Orang Asli settlement, Syed Ibrahim instructed them to provide a list of names and details of the land lots involved so the state could assist them if necessary. In Tasek Bera, illegal land encroachment in the forest reserve had covered more than 7,000 hectares, prompting the UPNP to suspect that illegal syndicates were using the Orang Asli to carry out land clearing.

The enforcement operation began on September 14, with various agencies working together to conduct enforcement and land-surveying operations. Syed Ibrahim described the Tasek Bera Orang Asli community as the original inhabitants of the area and stated that the state government is committed to safeguarding their welfare and interests.

However, he acknowledged that some parties involved financially from land clearing may now be facing consequences. He dismissed claims by some quarters that the enforcement action was an effort to oppress the Orang Asli community, emphasizing that the Pahang government treats them like family and takes care of their welfare through education, housing, and infrastructure development.

The Pahang government will not tolerate illegal land clearing in Tasek Bera, as it threatens the forest reserve, water catchment areas, and the forest's management.