KOTA BARU: More than 50 Orang Asli from seven settlements in Gua Musang held a peaceful demonstration at Kompleks Kota Darulnaim here today to protest against logging activities in their area which they say have diminished their source of income.
The protest, which began at 10am and lasted for about an hour, was led by Jaringan chairman Mustafa Along.
He said logging activities at Gua Musang have badly affected the livelihoods of Orang Asli in the area, as 100 per cent of them rely on the forest for their source of income.
"Many of us rely on the forest to make ends meet. But ever since the state government gave its approval for logging activities to be carried out in our settlement, our incomes have dropped drastically.
"If the activities continue, we will not be able to find even the most basic resources in the forest.
“Furthermore, our health is being affected," he told reporters at the scene today.
Mustafa said affected settlements include Pos Bihai, Pos Tohoi, Pos Goh, Pos Pasik and Kampung Kuala Bering.
During the demonstration, the group handed over a protest letter to assistant director at the Kelantan’s Menteri Besar’s office, Ahmad Saiful Rahman Ab Rahim.