BINTULU, Sept 13 (Bernama) -- Members of the public are reminded not to make any speculation about the integrated operation conducted by several enforcement agencies at the Similajau National Park.
Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) said there had been speculation in the form of slander by certain parties, accusing the government of acting inhumanely by evicting villagers from the area.
It said the operation, led by SFC and coordinated by the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) in collaboration with the police, Immigration Department, Land and Survey Department (JTS), Sarawak Attorney-General's Chambers (SAGC) as well as the Bintulu Division Resident Office and Bintulu District Office, was carried out due to encroachments into the Similajau National Park Ext 1, which have been going on since 2004.
"This situation has been going on since 2004, when there was encroachment, such as illegal logging, exploration for agricultural purposes, erecting illegal structures, including settling in the Similajau National Park area by foreigners who work in oil palm plantations operated by illegal settlers.
"Throughout the 20 years, various efforts have been carried out by the Sarawak Forestry Department and SFC to curb encroachment activities,” it said in a statement today.
The operation was carried out after obtaining a warrant from the court to evict those who encroached and settled in the national park illegally.
The SFC added that the eviction was also done based on the existing jurisdiction through the National Parks and Nature Reserves Ordinance 1998.
The 7,064-hectare Simijalau National Park, about 28 kilometres (km) from Bintulu, was gazetted in 1976 while the Similajau National Park Ext 1 was gazetted on Feb 17, 2000, whereby it was originally located in the Similajau Forest Reserve area that was gazetted on Dec 1, 1959.
The demarcation of the Similajau National Park was implemented and certified by the Land and Survey Department in 2018.
-- BERNAMA
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