Department director Salim Aman said the explored areas were found to have been used as settlements as well as rubber and palm oil plantations, based on the presence of tools and machinery.

“Maybe at the initial stage, the forest areas were explored by the Orang Asli and later on, outsiders started coming in and explored more areas,” he told reporters at a breaking of fast event organised by the Johor economic, tourism and cultural office (Jetco) here yesterday.

Salim said the department was collecting relevant information to be channelled to the state government for further action.

During the royal address at the opening of the state assembly meeting three weeks ago, Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar proposed that all Orang Asli land in the state be classified as “sultanate land” to better protect them against outsiders carrying out illegal activities.

Yesterday, menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the state government was aware and concerned about the Orang Asli being exploited by irresponsible parties in Johor.