ZAHID: OP GADING WILL CONTINUE

Decision among four other matters concluded at committee meeting

THE high-level committee meeting on illegal cultivation and restoration of Cameron Highlands has decided that Op Gading, an operation aimed at combating land encroachment activities, will continue.

This was among four other matters concluded at the meeting yesterday.

In a statement, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the National Security Council (NSC) would continue its role as the leading agency in Cameron Highlands to coordinate and implement the fourth series of the operation.

This would be done in an integrated manner with the cooperation of federal and state agencies, he said.

The meeting also decided that the aluminium, iron and wood waste from makeshift plastic houses in permanent forest reserve areas, which was destroyed in the previous Op Gading raid, must be cleared as soon as possible, he said.

“We have decided that the Armed Forces and police helicopters will be used in air surveillance and operations during natural disasters, if needed.”

Finally, as per the order of the Regent of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, Zahid said the army’s sub-units would be stationed permanently in Cameron Highlands.

“This is for the purpose of enforcement against illegal encroachment or trespassing on government land.

“At the same time, this will eradicate the presence of illegal immigrants. This will be carried out in Op Gading 4,” he said.

Zahid, who is also home minister, said the government had spent RM246.5 million to preserve Cameron Highlands via Op Gading operations since 2014.

“The amount is including RM88 million spent by Tenaga Nasional Bhd for its project to deepen dams in the highlands to prevent flooding.

“This shows that the federal and state governments are committed to preserve the highlands as a tourist destination.

“This will contribute to the country’s economy through sustainable agriculture,” he added.

Zahid said Op Gading 1, 2, and 3 have been successful in curbing encroachment and in making sure flood mitigation and river cleaning efforts were carried out effectively to prevent mud floods and landslides.

He said reforestation programmes at permanent forest reserve areas in Cameron Highlands were carried out effectively, and Temporary Occupation Licence were given to eligible farmers at areas that had been cleared of encroachment.

Cooperation between the federal and state governments in this operation had also ensured that foreign workers were employed in a proper and systematic way, he added.

“As a whole, Cameron Highlands’ recovery action through Op Gading last year was a success.”

Zahid said a hillslope mitigation project worth RM1.15 million at the Sungai Tiang Orang Asli settlement was underway and was expected to be completed in February.

“With this project, 28 Orang Asli families living in 13 houses in Sungai Tiang will not have to move as their current residence will be safe for occupancy,” he said.