KOTA BARU: Another 100 vegetable farm operators in the Lojing highlands were served with temporary stop-work orders as a precautionary measure against landslides.
The directive came barely two months after the authorities had issued temporary stop-work orders to seven companies found to have breached regulations on the clearing and planting of vegetables there.
Lojing district and land officer Nik Razak Nik Hassan said the stop-work orders were issued to the 100 farm operators two weeks ago by the Gua Musang district office.
"Due to this rainy season, we have to take such precautions to prevent any untoward incidents.
"The operators are told to temporary cease their activities such as cutting trees at the hill, beginning this month until February next year," he told the New Straits Times.
Nik Razak said it was normal for the council to issue such orders to vegetable farm operators in the highlands everytime the rainy season hits the state.
"The stop-work orders are normally issued every year but it is not compulsory. It will only be issued if the situation persists," he said.
Sources said that the 100 operators were all sub-companies for major companies like Yayasan Kelantan Darulnaim (Yakin) and Multisystem Sdn Bhd and they have been operating in the highlands for more than two years.
In an exclusive report by NST on Dec 11, it was stated that the authorities had issued temporary stop-work orders to seven vegetable farms covering 100ha of land in the highlands over fears their activities may trigger a landslide that could bury hundreds of Orang Asli living downhill.
Kelantan/Terengganu Orang Asli development Department deputy director Azman Ngatiton was reported to have said that the seven that own some 20 farms uphill from several Orang Asli settlements were ordered to cease work after they were found to have breached the regulations last month.