Speaking to FMT, Siti said the Kelantan Government and relevant state agencies must come up with solutions to repair the damage caused by loggers.

Last week, Siti highlighted that Orang Asli villagers living in nearby settlements had set up blockades to protest against rampant logging activities in the area, which subsequently led to the arrest of three Orang Asli.

Subsequently, Kelantan Forestry Department Director Zahari Ibrahim clarified that the logging carried out in the area was legal and did not involve Orang Asli reserve land.

However, the state government has now ordered an immediate halt to logging activities in the area until further notice.

Siti hoped that instead of meeting just a few locals, all relevant agencies and the Kelantan Government would go to the ground and address the concerns of the Orang Asli community there.

“The Orang Asli is a community. So the authorities must go to them and get a consensus from the villagers.”

She said some representatives of the community may be influenced by some parties, hence their input may not represent the views of the community.

Aside from finding a solution to repair the damage caused by loggers, Siti said from now on, the Orang Asli villagers’ consent should be sought before any logging activities were carried out.

“If the Orang Asli give their consent, and that is a big ‘if’, the authorities must ensure loggers adhere to sustainable logging practices.

“We are not against logging per se, but there is a proper way to do it without destroying the flora, fauna and livelihood of the Orang Asli,”

She said the deforested areas were replaced with rubber clones.

Earlier today, The Star Online reported that the PAS-led Kelantan Government made the decision to stop logging to ensure peace among the Orang Asli and loggers, and that the decision had been agreed to by all parties.