BY: Zaki Saleh
GERIK: The issue of encroachment and fish bombing in Sungai Singor within the Temengor Forest Reserve has caught the attention of the Temenggor State Assemblyman (ADUN), prompting her to file a police report.
Dato’ Salbiah Mohamed, along with a group of non-governmental organization members who are also native to Temenggor, attended the Gerik District Police Headquarters to report the issue of encroachment in the Royal Belum Forest Reserve.
Salbiah also serves as the State Executive Councillor for Women’s Development, Family, Community Welfare, Entrepreneurial Development, and Cooperatives in Perak.
In her statement to the media, Salbiah expressed deep sadness and disappointment as a leader and native of Temenggor regarding the attitude and incidents.
She emphasized that such actions are clearly wrong and unacceptable as they damage the ecosystem of the Kelah fish, which is protected by the Perak State Government and holds significant value for all Temenggor residents.
“Hence, we will continue to defend it.
“Therefore, we strongly oppose the illegal activities carried out in the Royal Belum Forest Reserve, and I will use all my efforts to curb and prevent such incidents from recurring,” she said.
Previously, a viral video showed a group of men displaying catches of fish such as Kelah, Tengas, and Lampam in a river area within the forest.
Following this, the Fisheries Department investigated the viral activity, which was said to involve illegal and suspicious fishing methods.
The police have handed over the investigation regarding the group of individuals allegedly involved in fish bombing and electrofishing of Kelah fish in Sungai Singor, Temengor Forest Reserve, here, to the Forestry Department and the Fisheries Department.
The Temenggor and Royal Belum forest reserve areas are a source of livelihood for boat operators who bring tourists and are also settlements for indigenous Orang Asli communities.
