KUANTAN: Tanah Aina Resorts, the operator of award winning ecotourism resorts, has listed three properties in Pahang for sale after allegedly running into problems with the state government.
Tanah Aina Fareena Cafe and Restaurant in Bentong, Tanah Aina Farouq Durian Orchard and Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya Exclusive Eco Resort, both in Raub, are up for sale.
Tanah Aina Sdn Bhd founder Puan Sri Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil claimed the state government had been making it difficult for her to operate her businesses, so she felt it was time to pull the brakes.
"Despite my appeals to work together to enhance the ecotourism sector, the state government has been making things difficult for me.
"I feel that my efforts are not appreciated and there is no future for me in Pahang. They are not showing any mercy.
"How do you expect me to continue doing business when I am being charged and sued by the state government?
"I was prepared to rent the parking lot at Tanah Aina Fareena Cafe in Bentong, but the state government never approved it.
"The state government seems to be putting me under a lot of pressure, so several months ago, I decided there is no point in doing business here and we put all three properties up for sale," she said when contacted today.
Posts about the sale of the properties have gone viral on social media.
Shariffa Sabrina said Tanah Aina's resorts have won awards locally and abroad.
She said the resorts were set up to preserve the natural wonders that Pahang has to offer and showcase them to the world.
"I set up the Tanah Aina chain of eco-resorts because of my passion and to allow people to appreciate nature better.
"I have been doing business for more than 15 years and never faced issues until recently."
Shariffa Sabrina, who is former Association for the Protection of Natural Heritage of Malaysia president, claimed that all her attempts to hold discussions with the state government had been futile.
In March, the Pahang State Enforcement Unit shut Tanah Aina Fareena Cafe's parking lot because the lot was allegedly on state government land.
The state government reportedly said the cafe owner could file an appeal.
The New Straits Times has contacted Pahang Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man for comment.