Care for environs a priority

THE recent illegal land clearing in Cameron Highlands has drawn much attention in response to complaints by locals.

The startling admission by the District Officer (DO), who said that he needed to clean up his house, proves that everything is not right up there. He is one of those who at least has the guts to admit that, and we look forward to proper enforcement against this rampant activity.

Ironically, this issue was raised after the Prime Minister declared a one-and-a-half-month bonus for civil servants. Its a wonder how something so glaring as illegal land clearing had escaped the attention of the DO and the MP, the Tanah Rata assemblyman, REACH, the DOE and the DID.

Why hadnt they raised this issue earlier? Why only now, after the press has highlighted the matter?

Again, we face the same modus operandi and the blame game continues. Suddenly, we have reports conducted on land studies, damage to the environment, raids being conducted, and the best part being, seized machinery being seized again right under their noses!

The Land Office is initiating creative methods to nab the culprits, but its an afterthought. We dont need creativity if there is integrity with strict moral and ethical codes.

Simple and steadfast adherence to standard operating procedures will suffice. You just require a helicopter to survey areas being cleared and map them down.

Land clearing does not happen overnight and it wont take long to obtain the evidence. It appears that under the watchful eyes of the District Office, permit holders for land clearing are having a field day clearing more than enough now.

After Penang, almost every state seems to share similar problems. And who is responsible for the Sultan Abu Bakar dam which is apparently being filled with silt?

I, too, live around a hilly area and at times do hear of earthworks being carried out for reasons unknown. Every related government agency must work hand in hand with the authorities to ensure that the enforcement culture is maintained.

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Care for environs a priority