MB: FARMERS’ EVICTION UNAVOIDABLE
State govt must ensure river near Cameron Highlands is clean, says Wan Rosdy
THE eviction of farmers in Cameron Highlands operating on land under temporary occupation leases (TOL) near Sungai Ichat cannot be avoided, said Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
He said the state government had to ensure the river was not polluted and the people were healthy.
He said that was why the state government would not give in to requests by farmers to continue to operate there.
He said the state government decided that matters concerning agricultural land in Cameron Highlands would be handled by State Secretary Inc.
“The state Agriculture Department through State Secretary Inc will coordinate and ensure that farmers in Cameron Highlands practise safe and effective agricultural practices in line with Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices.
“We will be strict with the enforcement as the farmers have been issued with 30-day eviction notices.
“We need to safeguard the environment and ensure the continuous supply of treated water to cater to the needs of 70 per cent of the people in Cameron Highlands,” he said on his blog wanrosdy.com.
He was responding to reports about the eviction of farm owners at Sungai Ichat, where the Kuala Terla Farmers Association had produced a video urging the state government to reconsider its decision to issue the 30-day eviction notice.