KOTA BHARU, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- The Peninsular Malaysia Orang Asli Villages Network (JKOASM) has called on the Kelantan state government to provide an open and transparent explanation regarding the status of Permanent Forest Reserves (HSK) in Ulu Gua Musang.
The group expressed concern over widespread forest destruction, encroachment on customary territories, and escalating human-wildlife conflicts in the area.
JKOASM representative Nur Mohd Syafiq Dendi Abdullah said the state government must specify the exact location, status, and acreage of retained forest reserves, as well as areas that have been degazetted or reclassified.
He noted that on-ground observations revealed large-scale deforestation in several areas, including HSK Gunung Berangkat or Stong Selatan, Sungai Perias, Kuala Balah, and Sungai Betis.
"We are seeing a reality very different from claims that our forests are being preserved. That is why we are calling for an independent audit and for land status data and maps to be disclosed to the public," he told a press conference here today.
Nur Mohd Syafiq added that JKOASM was deeply concerned over natural forests being cleared for commercial crops such as acacia, rubber clones, oil palm, Musang King durian, and coffee, which threatened biodiversity, water sources, and wildlife habitats.
He stressed that these developments directly impacted Orang Asli customary land rights, requiring any development affecting the community to follow a transparent and informed consultation process.
"As natural habitats shrink, human-wildlife conflicts are becoming more severe. Residents are encountering elephants, tigers, bears, and other wildlife near their settlements, while crops like hill padi, corn, vegetables, and bananas are being destroyed by elephants," he said.
JKOASM urged the state government to publish comprehensive maps showing the current status of forest reserves, degazetted areas, forest plantation projects, approved concessionaires, and approval terms.
The group also called for a moratorium on new development approvals in areas with overlapping Orang Asli customary land claims, pending an independent investigation and audit into logged or cleared forest land.
-- BERNAMA