As the Orang Asli's logging blockade in Gua Musang gained media attention earlier this month, an open letter emerged claiming the indigenous people had been "paid" to do so.

A certain 'Along' and 'Pandak' said in their open letter that the community had received food, medicine, alcohol and cash in return for erecting barricades.

But who are these two men?

This was the question posed to Malaysiakini when trying to get reactions from the locals.

Mustafa Along, who leads the Temiars who erected the barricade at Pos Tohoi, said he had never heard of the two individuals.

“With regard to the open letter, we deny what was written in it and we will investigate the matter,” said Mustafa, who is also the secretary of the Kelantan Network of Orang Asli Villages.

The open letter, addressed to former Kelantan executive councillor Husam Musa - now an opposition assemblyperson for Salor - had spread far and wide through WhatsApp.

Husam, who is also Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) adviser, is one of the most vocal critics of logging in the state.

His active criticism of the Kelantan government had earlier gotten him into trouble with his former party PAS.

'Ploy to scuttle protest'

When met two weeks ago at Gua Musang's forest reserve, Mustafa said the Orang Asli were acting on their own initiative in protecting the environment.

“The letter defames the Orang Asli and the NGOs, and I believe it is an attempt to destroy the cooperation we have.

“There is no such thing as us being paid to hold up placards.

"We did not organise this blockade because we were paid; we are doing this because we love the forest,” he said.

Residents from seven different villages around Pos Tohoi were involved in the effort, he added.

“We want to show to the state government that we are serious about our demands, so that the government cares for the forest and gives the Orang Asli recognition.

“We want the forest to be protected, for the sake of lives, not profit.”

Tomorrow: How long will the Orang Asli maintain the blockade? For as long as necessary...

Yesterday: K'tan's Temiar people in losing battle with loggers