GUA MUSANG: Several rivers in the district continue to be polluted due to mud and dirt coming from the Lojing Highlands despite stop-work orders imposed against four farm operators recently.
Describing the situation as a 'ticking time bomb', Galas assemblyman Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim said further pollution would disrupt the Orang Asli and pose a risk to their lives.
"The Orang Asli villagers have expressed concern about the ongoing river pollution during our previous meeting and they are worried that the situation might worsen during rainy season.
"Apart from the polluted rivers, they also fear mud floods and landslides hitting their villages," he added.
He said river pollution in Lojing Highlands was not a new issue and has been ongoing for years.
"I hope the relevant authorities, such as the state Department of Environment (DOE), take stern action against those who have violated the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations," said Syahbuddin.
Meanwhile, state Local Government, Housing, Health and Environment Committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah said he would direct the state DOE to investigate the claims.
"As far as l know, DOE officers have been conducting regular checks on the issue, especially against farm operators who have breached the regulations," he added.
It was recently reported that three rivers in Orang Asli settlements were polluted due to uncontrolled agricultural activities such as vegetable farming in the Lojing Highlands.
The affected rivers are Sungai Lingkong, Sungai Belatop and Sungai Chekal, located in four Orang Asli villages, namely, Kampung Sungai Dengkong, Kampung Jedip, Kampung Sengsang and Kampung Shangwai.
On Aug 31, it was reported that four companies operating vegetable farms in Lojing Highlands had been served with temporary stop-work orders for breaching clearance and planting regulations.
The stop-work orders were issued by the state DOE under Section 34A of the Environment Act.
The orders were issued during a series of operations carried out between January and May this year, following complaints from the public.