“We must be prepared to compensate the state government, then Kelantan cannot complain about the lost of income,” Sivarasa said, after the demolition of a blockade set up by the Orang Asli in Gua Musang, Kelantan.

Sivarasa said Putrajaya should instruct the Kelantan government to stop issuing logging licences and cancel existing ones where operations have yet to begin.

He said improper planning on the part of the state government posed problems to both the Orang Asli community who felt they have been unfairly treated and logging companies who consider their activities as legal.

“The state government’s actions are making victims of everyone, primarily the Orang Asli, as they feel it is their land.”

He said Kelantan should not have issued licences to logging and plantation companies without proper planning.

Yesterday morning, enforcement officers demolished a blockade set up by the Orang Asli.

The PAS-led Kelantan government previously said it was the absolute owner of lands claimed by the Orang Asli, and has also accused non-governmental organisations of inciting the community to stop the activities of logging companies.

On Aug 10, some 200 Orang Asli residents from 17 settlements in Gua Musang met Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to seek help in finding a solution over the issue of encroachment by logging and agricultural firms.