SYSTEMIC problems, according to the geologists, may make saving Cameron Highlands impossible. Undeniably, restoring it to its pristine past is difficult, but that is no reason for giving up and allowing an ecological disaster to unwind unimpeded. To put it mildly, on viewing the devastation during a recent visit, the sultan of Pahang voiced open displeasure. So incensed was he, he threatened to metaphorically shoot those responsible. Arguably, his insistence that the rehabilitation of Sungai Bertam must start immediately is the best place to begin. With a river able to drain the unseasonal heavy rains, which are blamed on climate change, it should solve half the problem. If pushing the green agenda is indeed the government’s intention, then why delay such an important remedial move when experts are insisting that the soaked earth has become unstable, thus, explaining this year’s frequent landslides?
But at the bottom of all this disfigurement of what was once a beautiful environment is illegal land clearing. The rationale that without illegal labour these farms cannot exist has meant a crackdown on illegal aliens. However, the sultan dismisses these allegations, and again, he is right. Even if they are there, it is the farms that draw them. It makes sense to close these farms immediately, prosecute the owners and then hound the crooks, who are remorselessly laughing all the way to the bank, despite being the cause of mayhem and deaths. The sultan, though, diplomatically protected the reputation of the state civil servants when questioned about alleged corruption in the highlands. The sultan, nevertheless, threatened serious action against those found guilty. On the issue of the so-called “yellow letters” (surat kuning), said to be connected to the Pahang palace, the sultan was unequivocal: ignore them, and he urged officers to execute their duties without fear or favour.
The rape of Cameron Highlands must surely have demonstrated to the public the seriousness of not minding the ecological balance, and the exemplary role the sultan has taken over the matter is indeed commendable. For, the rectification of the problem is of such urgency that it cannot tolerate any laidback attitude, as demonstrated by some local law enforcers reportedly deeming the softly-softly approach as the most appropriate. Agreed, it is beyond the imagination of the dull mind that a hill system as large as Cameron Highlands can be headed toward utter devastation. But for them to ignore the warnings of experts is unforgivable, no matter how intellectually challenged they are. Therefore, having the sultan hot on their heels must surely be the impetus needed. The same can be said for the open threat doled out to the constituency’s member of parliament. Furthermore, the sultan himself has requested the Federal Government for financial assistance and the deployment of members of the armed forces. And with that, the state-federal obstacle over land matters is, in this instance, removed.