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Shahidan: Firm action against those destroying Lojing Highlands
GUA MUSANG, Dec 11, 2014:
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim has warned of firm government action against the allegedly uncontrolled opening of land for agriculture in the Lojing Highlands that he said could trigger landslides like in Cameron Highlands.
The vegetable farming entrepreneurs in the area were boldly defying regulations imposed by the authorities because they could be under the protection of gangsters, he told reporters after a visit to the Lojing Highlands yesterday.
Shahidan said the Department of Environment, Department of Agriculture, Land and District Office and other enforcement agencies would have to act more firmly despite the threats from gangsters.
“It is more important for us to discharge our responsibilities and tackle the problem or Lojing will cease to be a tourist destination,” he said.
Shahidan said entrepreneurs only focused on lucrative revenue in carrying out farming in the area without considering whether their action was destroying the environment.
He said the once-clear rivers of Lojing had turned murky and muddy due to the uncontrolled opening of land.
Shahidan said he would discuss with the Kelantan government on the need to take firm action against those destroying the environment in Lojing.