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Sultan angry that ‘yellow letters’ used to clear land illegally in Cameron Highlands

Rights group blames landowners for causing Camerons mudslide

The Sultan of Pahang has lashed out at “gangsters” who handed out “yellow letters” to those farming illegally in Cameron Highlands.

An angry Sultan Ahmad Shah was quoted by a The Star report today as saying he would pursue palace insiders who had issued the letters – without letterheads – to certain parties, which proceeded to clear tracts of land for farming.

Illegal farming and indiscriminate land clearing have been identified as the main causes of the mudslide in Cameron Highlands on November 5. Five people, including two Indonesian farm workers, died in the incident.

“If I know who they (allegedly senior officials who issued the letters) are, I will punch them. Once you’re a gangster, you’re always a gangster,” Sultan Ahmad was quoted as saying yesterday by the English daily.

The sultan, who was visiting the Bertam Valley, denied knowledge over the issuance of the “surat kuning” (letters printed on yellow sheets).

Yellow is the royal colour.

“Ask them to come and see me, whoever wrote the letter, and saya akan bagi dia cukup-cukup (teach them a lesson),” the sultan was quoted as saying.

The sultan also directed that all illegal farmers in Cameron Highlands should cease their activities, Bernama said.

He said the state government would take legal action against those involved in illegal farming.

"The illegal farmers are responsible for doing this (illegal farming) continuously for ages, they are to be blamed for the 'parit' (river overflow) incident."

Accompanying the sultan were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and state government leaders.

The sultan also ticked off Cameron Highlands MP Datuk Seri G. Palanivel for washing his hands off the problem, Utusan Malaysia reported yesterday.

Palanivel is also the natural resources and environment minister.

The sultan accused the minister of not taking any action to solve the problem of mudslides in the Bertam Valley following a similar incident last year in which four people died.

“What has he done? Nothing. My subjects suffer from mental and physical pain when a tragedy like this strikes… He (Palanivel) was elected last year and is this his way of rewarding them?” the sultan was quoted as saying by Utusan.

The sultan said to curb the problem of illegal farming, the state needed Putrajaya’s help as it did not have enough resources.

“My settlement officers will not be able to stop them. Because they will be hammered by these people (farmers). They employ gangsters,” Sultan Ahmad Shah was quoted as saying by The Star.

He also denied knowledge of corruption involving civil servants over the matter. Accompanying the sultan were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and state government leaders. – November 20, 2014.