Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim today revealed that two livestock farmers who protested last Monday at the state secretariat are on illegally occupied land.

This is contrary to the farmers' claim that their land, located next to an illegal landfill, was licensed.

The farmers also claimed to have paid dues to the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) for the structure on one of the farms, said Khalid.

"But the state believes that it cannot allow farming activities in the area due to contamination and pollution," he said.

NONE Khalid said the state exco today identified a 100-acre lot in Hulu Selangor which "is more appropriate for livestock farming".

Last Monday, about 70 livestock farmers from Kampung Sungai Kertas, Ulu Yam had protested in front of the state secretariat building in Shah Alam.

They claimed that the state government failed to provide them any assistance after a landfill landslide occurred last Wednesday.

The incident occurred when attempts to put out a fire at the landfill turned disastrous when part of it collapsed, burying cows and goats at the farms and injuring a worker.

Khalid also said the landfill has been operating illegally for the past five years and has been declared a disaster area since Sept 4 to facilitate efforts to put out the fire.

"The MPS had issued several compounds to stop the illegal activities to an individual who claimed that he was authorised by the owners to run the landfill.

"There were also efforts to take the matter to court to obtain an injunction to stop illegal activities," added Khalid.

State govt to seize the land

Now that it has been found that it has been illegally occupied, Khalid said the state government will seize the land according to procedures.

The state exco, said Khalid, was informed by Gombak district office on Jan 25, 2007 that a notice to remedy a breach of condition under Section 128 of National Land Code was issued to the owners.

cow protest to selangor suk 280909 01 He added this was done to allow the registered owners to make remedies on the breach of usage of land.

"(But) since no action has been taken to date, the exco today instructed the district officer to issue a notice of reversion to forfeit the land from the owners," said Khalid.

Following the completion of the forfeiture, he added, MPS has been instructed to monitor and clean up the area.

"The council has also been advised to seek the expertise of Worldwide Holdings Sdn Bhd for the rehabilitation of the area," he said.

Farmers are aware of their status

According to state exco Elizabeth Wong who is in charge of environment portfolio, both farmers who were affected by the landslide "have not secured any approval".

"One of the farms occupied state land. The second one is on TNB reserve land, which the government did not approve.

"So when the area was classified as a disaster area on Sept 4, everyone was advised to vacate the place," she said.

When asked whether the farmers received any notice to vacate the land, Khalid said: "There is no need when you are doing this illegally".

He however reassured that both farmers were well aware that the area was already considered disaster and not suitable for livestock farming.