SHAH ALAM, NOV 7: According to the State Government, it has so far relocated seven farmers whom it considers ‘critical’ while the remaining four are still awaiting to be moved to Hulu Selangor.
Those 11 farmers are regarded as ‘critical’ and will be relocated to a 100 acre land in Taman Kekal Pengeluaran Makanan (TKPM) at Sungai Nilam, Hulu Selangor.
Agricultural Modernisation, Natural Resources Management and Entrepreneurial Development Exco, Dr. Yaakob Sapari said that the relocation had involved 698 cows.
He said that out of the above-mentioned number, 563 cows had been relocated while the remaining 135 cows had yet to be moved.
The farmers who are under the ‘critical’ category involve those from Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, and Subang Jaya.
For the record, 11 farmers involve those under the ‘critical’ category while a number of 282 farmers are under the ‘problematic’ category.
‘In a meanwhile, we are only relocating those who are under the ‘critical’ category. It includes those who have been rearing cattle in the housing areas, mosques, and other places that could potentially cause disturbance to the public’, he said.
Previously, approximately 300 farmers were faced with location issue.
Most of them are facing land and location problems to carry out their activities. This flows from the fact that they have been carry out their activities in the reserved land belonging to the government, developers and other government agencies such as Drainage and Irrigation Department.
They urge the State Government to grant them a piece of land as promised so that they can carry out their activities without let or hindrance.
Responding to that, Yaakob explained that the State Government would relocate the farmers in stages.
He further added that the State Government had already planned to relocate them to other areas.
‘They (farmers) must understand that in Selangor, the land is strictly limited. Therefore the process might be slightly time-consuming.’
‘Should there be other problem, we would consider other options which is ‘modern farming’. For the time being, it is only in Kuala Selangor. However, if we receive any complaints that the area is not suitable for them because of ravine, we would consider reclaiming the area.’
‘Furthermore, not all farmers fall under such ‘critical’ category’, he added.
Previously, Yaakob informed that the second phase would involve a relocation of other 20 farmers to two 120 acre lands in Sungai Gumut and Rasah respectively. Hulu Selangor is still under consideration due to some problems.
The allocation of RM 400, 000 to build and develop those two areas are still at the infrastructure development phase.