PAS slammed for cronyism
(The Star) KOTA BARU: Kelantan Umno Youth chief Anuar Safian has slammed the PAS-led state government for practising cronyism, saying it was against Islamic teachings.
He said the admission by Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat that the government would give state land to a person “even if he was a crony” if he complied with conditions set by the state was un-Islamic.
“I am concerned that the state has given 440ha of land in the Stong forest reserve to the son of a staunch PAS supporter. I think Nik Abdul Aziz is not practising what he preaches.”
While Nik Aziz had accused Umno of practising cronyism on May 13, Anuar said state Economic Planning, Finance and Welfare Committee chairman Datuk Husam Musa had announced on May 6 that the state had given approval for 440ha of land in Stong to be turned into an oil palm plantation.
He revealed that the approval was granted to a company called Maxson Sdn Bhd, whose biggest shareholder was Ruzaini Razak. However, he declined to provide more details on the exact location and whether the area was rich in timber resources.
Gunung Stong is a well-known tourist destination for local and foreign tourists.
Apart from its the natural attractions, the WWF Malaysia is producing a preliminary management plan for the Gunung Stong State Park in collaboration with the state forestry department.
It is an important wildlife habitat, which is linked to the Main Range. Wildlife found in the area included elephants, tigers, tapirs and hornbills.
Gunung Stong is also an important water catchment area for Kelantan River.
Southern Kelantan, where Stong is located, is rich in wild plants, many of which are only found in this part of the world.
Gunung Stong is a forested area totalling 21,950ha with several prominent mountain peaks. The area is home to one of the highest seven-tier waterfalls in Malaysia, the Jelawang Waterfalls.
Anuar said the state should reconsider awarding such a large tract of land for commercial gain that would likely lead to an environmental disaster such as the one that occurred in the Lojing highlands.
“The state is not expected to make a huge profit from the land. The crony is the only one to benefit from the approval.”
