Their representative, Anipah Mohd Radin, said there were no discussions between the Bentong Municipal Council (MBP) and residents prior to drafting the plan.

“We are not against the RKK but against this plan drafted without our consent,” he told FMT.

He said more than 1,500 residents had submitted objection letters to the council today, assisted by local NGO and environmental group Pertubuhan Perlindungan Khazanah Alam Malaysia (Peka).

Anipah said the RKK was meant to upgrade Kampung Janda Baik into an international eco-tourism area, but the draft plan seemed to indicate otherwise.

He said there were no specific discussions between the consultants appointed by the MPB and stakeholders before the initial draft was presented.

He added that there were no early amendments and draft changes following a roundtable discussion between the consultant and a “focus group”.

“The residents were not informed of the publicity programme for the RKK. There was also no detailed description by the consultant who drafted the final draft of the RKK.”

He said it was worrying as there were many things which were unnecessary but which had been included in the plan.

Anipah said there was a possibility that the status of the Malay reserve land would be changed to international reserve land.

He said the residents were hoping the plan will be reconsidered so that the status of Kampung Tradisional Melayu Janda Baik will remain.

Peka secretary-general Rahman Hamid said the group supported and agreed with the objections as the new project will cause destruction to nature in the surrounding areas.