Orang Asli villagers from Pos Balah, Gua Musang are expecting a clash with authorities this Sunday following the Kelantan Forestry Department's notice to break up their anti-logging blockade at the Balah Forest Reserve.

Speaking at a Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS) press conference, blockade representative Kamal Alek said about 200 of his family and friends are "ready to sacrifice their lives" to ensure no encroachment in the forest.

He said the residents feel this is their last resort following the increase of logging near their village, as calls for dialogue and memoranda sent have not been heeded.

"There might be a clash but we will continue with our blockade. If they tear down the blockade, we will rebuild," he said at the press conference in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

The round-the-clock anti-logging blockade by the Orang Asli community at the Balah Forest Reserve, Gua Musang started in October.

Meanwhile, JOAS expressed disappointment over the authorities' notice to clear the blockade area.

Its deputy president Zuhdi Baharu, 34, said the government did not give ample guarantee that there will be no more logging.

"We are very disappointed with the state government because they have not met with us even once since the issue broke out in September to discuss this serious matter.

"In fact, Deputy Menteri Besar (Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah) accused the Orang Asli of having been influenced by outsiders. This is an insincere comment made to absolve responsibility over the issue," he said.

He said the local community has held various demonstrations and sent multiple memoranda, decrying how the logging has affected their water source.

"This is not Islamic leadership," he said.

Some Orang Asli against blockade

Not all from the Gua Musang district Orang Asli community support the various blockade efforts in the different parts of the forest.

Persatuan Orang Asli Semenanjung's Kelantan chairperson Ajom Alang in a video statement said the Kelantan Network of Orang Asli Villages (JKOAK)-backed blockade was shameful to the community.

"Don't do that. The JKOAK have picketed and demonstrated here and there and it tarnishes the Orang Asli name.

"I am embarrassed because it makes it seem like all Kelantan Orang Asli people are revolting, when it is only a small portion," said the Kuala Betis resident.

Ajom also urged that the Pos Tohoi blockade be done in logging areas, and not at access roads as this burdened the community.

He said while he personally agreed with the fight to safeguard the environment, he did not believe in the aggressive stance JKOAK was taking.

"Orang Asli have our culture and ways. We do not take the aggressive route," he said.

A police report was also lodged by a Pos Gob village chief Liman Alang, against activist lawyer Siti Kasim for allegedly "causing disharmony among the Orang Asli". Siti reportedly represents some blockaders.

When contacted, JKOAK chairperson Azmi Badul denied burdening the local community as the Forestry Department ban on outsiders imposed following the blockade does not apply to the Orang Asli.

JKOAK secretary Mustafa Along earlier said the Forestry Department ban on outsiders burdened locals who need to buy sundry goods from the traders who used to regularly enter their village.