By Mustakim Ramli
SHAH ALAM, Sept 11 — Land clearing activities in Bukit Tabur, Ampang, have nothing to do with the state government and did not receive approval from the local authority (PBT).
Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari informed that enforcement officers have been deployed immediately to the location to stop the activity and confiscate the machinery involved.
“After further review by the MPAJ (Ampang Jaya Municipal Council) and the Gombak District Office, (they found) no approval was given for activities on the land.
“Enforcers had gone down to the location to stop the activity and confiscate the machinery involved,” he said via Twitter, today.
Amirudin tweeted this to answer a question from a Twitter user, @lamkanahraf who questioned how contractors could go up to the base of Bukit Tabur ridge with heavy machinery when hikers are not allowed to do climbing activity in the area.
“There should not be any developments allowed at Bukit Tabur,” said the Twitter user.
On the issue of enforcement raised by other Twitter users, Amirudin explained that currently, local authorities have a limited number of enforcers and their task is now focused on compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) on the premises and so on.
However, he welcomed complaints from the public in an effort to further improve the level of enforcement.
“Many have raised the issue of enforcement. Local authorities have limitations in terms of a limited number of enforcers and are now focused on compliance with SOPs on the premises and so on.
“The state government welcomes complaints from the public and will continue to increase the level of enforcement,” he replied on Twitter.
Meanwhile, MPAJ councillor Anfaal Saari in the latest update on Twitter informed that the bulldozer seen on Bukit Tabur had been brought down at about 4pm this afternoon.
According to him, the land clearing activity on private land with agricultural status was conducted without approval and planning permission by MPAJ.
“I have made a visit to the designated forest area at Bukit Tabur. It is a clearing of private land with agricultural status without the approval & Planning Permission by MPAJ.
“Thank you to the whistleblower for (showing) your concern!,” he said on Twitter.
