Melaka mulls options to resolve illegal settlements on govt reserved land

KUALA LUMPUR (June 22): Even the historic state of Melaka cannot escape the problem of illegal settlements.

The state government will consider various options to resolve the illegal settlements issue on government reserved land at the Durian Tunggal Dam in Alor Gajah and Jus Dam in Jasin, reported The Star today.

State Public Works, Transport and Public Amenities Committee chairman Mohd Sofi Abd Wahab said that it “was not a new issue as the group had been carrying out agricultural activities there for decades”.

“However, as a government that is concerned about the people’s welfare, we are examining some suitable measures to ensure their welfare is not affected.

“If these farmers are barred from carrying out their activities or given notice to vacate, it will affect their livelihood,” The Star reported Mohd Sofi as saying.

He said one of the measures being considered is the provision of new agricultural land for lease.

The State government had decided that all activities on government reserved land has to cease.

Mohd Sofi explained that such land are gazetted as prohibited areas under the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act 1959.

Mohd Sofi is also the state assemblyman for Durian Tunggal.