Farmers highlight woes in memo to PM
CAMERON HIGHLANDS: A memorandum on issues linked to farmers in Cameron Highlands has been presented to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
The memorandum was handed over by six key farmers’ associations and, among others, touched on the temporary occupation licence (TOL), lack of manpower, increased input costs and threats from foreigners working on illegal farms.
They also urged the government to establish a sustainable farming policy in Cameron Highlands.
The policy should emphasise the sustainable development of agriculture, they added.
In recognising the highlands as a major contributor to the sustainability of the country’s agricultural sector and food security, Dr Wan Azizah said in a speech here yesterday that it was important to control the use of land to prevent it from becoming a hazardous situation.
Cameron Highlands Malay Vegetable Farmers’ Association representative Syed Abd Rahman Syed Abd Rasid said although most of the issues highlighted were old ones, there were still some which needed to be improved such as the slow renewal process for TOL licences.
Meanwhile, the recurring issue of encroachment on state land and forest reserves at the Pos Terisu Orang Asli settlement was also brought to Dr Wan Azizah’s attention.
She observed the situation at the affected location, specifically the damage left behind by irresponsible land clearing and the construction of illegal structures on reserved land. Dr Wan Azizah was briefed by Pahang Forestry director Datuk Dr Mohd Hizamri Mohd Yasin and Cameron Highlands land and district office assistant director Yamin Hafiz.