Specify when TOL issues will be settled, DAP reps tell Pahang MB
CAMERON POLLS | Two DAP lawmakers have joined the chorus asking for Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail to resolve the issue of temporary occupation licence (TOL) applications in Cameron Highlands.
Chiong Yoke Keong (photo, right), who is the Tanah Rata assemblyperson and DAP Youth deputy chief, said Wan Rosdy should offer a more concrete response to the issues voiced out, instead of giving it a political twist...
CAMERON POLLS | Two DAP lawmakers have joined the chorus asking for Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail to resolve the issue of temporary occupation licence (TOL) applications in Cameron Highlands.
Chiong Yoke Keong (photo, right), who is the Tanah Rata assemblyperson and DAP Youth deputy chief, said Wan Rosdy should offer a more concrete response to the issues voiced out, instead of giving it a political twist.
"If a TOL is expired, it will become invalid. With that, how are the farmers going to take in foreign workers, (apply for) bank loans, and (buy) vehicles to transport vegetables?
"Everything that has to do with farming needs a valid licence. If a farmer wants to upgrade his farm, but his TOL is not renewed, how is he supposed to improve his business?" Chiong told a press conference after a walkabout in Ringlet, Cameron Highlands.
Chiong pointed out that in agriculture, time is of utmost importance and that Wan Rosdy had merely said the TOL application process will be sped up but did not give a specific time frame.
"Can I ask what he means by speeding up? Can he give a time frame? Is it three years? Five years?
"Can he provide a guarantee and a definite solution?" he asked.
DAP Youth chief Howard Lee (photo, left), who was also at the walkabout, echoed Chiong's call.
He said Wan Rosdy, as the leader of the Pahang state government, should give a definite answer to the issues posed.
"At least give us a timeline. If there is no timeline, how are we supposed to answer to the rakyat?" said the Pasir Pinji assemblyperson.
The DAP Youth leaders were responding to the menteri besar's remark that Pakatan Harapan cannot interfere in land-related matters, which were under the jurisdiction of the state government.
This was after Harapan candidate for the Cameron Highlands by-election, M Manogaran claimed that he received complaints from the locals about the slow processing of TOL applications in the constituency, with only about 10 applications processed every month, despite thousands of new applications received.
