The development of ladang rakyat by the Kelantan government which also involve areas where the Orang Asli reside, has affected their water supply sources and livelihoods.     

Kelantan Umno liaison chairman Mustapa Mohamed said groups of Orang Asli had been holding demonstrations to express their unhappiness over the state government's eagerness to open up land in several areas including Gua Musang.     

"Recently, I was briefed on a completed project by the federal government to supply water to the Orang Asli but due to uncontrolled land clearing for the ladang rakyat projects, their water supply source has been affected, forcing the Orang Asli Development Department to find another water source."     

He said this after opening the Orang Asli Heritage Carnival and handing-out of Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia  (BR1M2.0) to members of the community, Jeli, today.     

Mustapa, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, said rampant clearing of forest land for logging would adversely affect the environment including the water sources such as Sungai Kelantan.     

    

"We hope the relevant parties would enforce the existing law to avoid indiscriminate clearing of land including in hilly areas for the benefit of current and future generations," he said.     

He also expressed doubt whether the clearing of land, especially in Hulu Kelantan, had been approved through the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports which he stressed were important to avoid the hilly areas from being indiscriminately stripped of vegetation, hence destroying the environment.     

On another development, Mustapa said Kelantan Umno had studied and identified Kelantan voters residing outside the state who indicated that they wanted change through the upcoming 13th general general for development to take place in Kelantan.     

He said Kelantan Umno was also targeting the support of young voters through the Red Wave programme which had been getting encouraging response.     

- Bernama