Ex-rep alleges 'Palace letters' responsible for excessive land clearing works

Ex-rep alleges 'Palace letters' responsible for excessive land clearing works

KUANTAN: A former state assemblyman claimed that letters purportedly issued from the Pahang palace have contributed to the proliferation of excessive land-clearing activities in Cameron Highlands.

Datuk Ho Yip Kap, who was the Tanah Rata representative from 2008 to 2013, said that during his tenure, very few of such letters were given out to aged farmers who wanted to earn a decent living by working on a small piece of land.

"Now, certain people who claimed to have connections to the palace are offering the letters for RM100,000 to RM300,000.

"Some greedy farmers took up the offer, resulting in massive and uncontrolled land-clearing activities.

"There are also some corrupt officers in the district office who give out the land-clearing permits discreetly," he said.

Due to this loophole, farmers and contractors would carry out land-clearing activities within 24 hours.

A source said RM20,000 would be collected from farmers for approval to clear one acre of land.

Ho said he had raised the matter at the state assembly, asking for a freeze on land-clearing permits and a ban on the use of heavy machinery in the highlands.

However, he said no concrete action was taken. Ho applauded former Cameron Highlands MP Datuk Seri S.K. Devamany for playing an active role and raising his concerns in Parliament in the past.

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Ex-rep alleges 'Palace letters' responsible for excessive land clearing works