14 individuals were arrested today on June 22 for trespassing the Bujang Melaka forest reserve in the state.
According to a statement from the Perak State Forestry Department (JPNP), investigation was done by a team of enforcers from the Kinta Manjung Forestry Office and it verified the illegal hiking activity as reported by the public.
The hiking group which consisted of eight males and six females, began hiking from the Sahom Valley Resort in Kampar before proceeding to Batu Dinding near the peak of Gunung Bujang Melaka.
A police report was lodged at the Kuala Dipang police station regarding this issue. All 14 suspects were detained before being released on bail.
The suspects could be charged under Section 47 of the National Forestry Act 1984 for entering the forest reserve without a permit. If convicted, they will either be fined a maximum of RM10,000, jailed a maximum of three years or both.
JPNP reminded the public that even though hiking activities are allowed during the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO), they need to obtain a permit from the department via respective district forestry offices should they be setting foot on a permanent forest reserve (HSK).
Authorities from JPNP will be patrolling and monitoring HSK despite the RMCO.
Rosli Mansor
