‘DAP strongman’s firm behind deforestation in Sungai Relai’

(The Star) – MUCH of the 4,000ha Sungai Relai forest reserve is now barren and a DAP strongman has been accused of being involved in the deforestation.

Berita Harian alleged that the land clearing near Gua Musang, Kelantan, was believed to be linked to a plantation company controlled by a senior DAP leader.

Efforts to clear the area was said to have started in April to make way for oil palm cultivation but the daily, which visited the area on Wednesday, said the land remained empty.

It also reported that that the deforestation has caused contamination in Sungai Relai.

Water from the river has become undrinkable, forcing residents to source for water in other villages, the paper said.

The revelation came following a blog posting which alleged that certain DAP leaders were offered land in Kelantan as an inducement to allow PAS assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin to assume the position of the Perak Mentri Besar after the 2008 elections.

Both the senior DAP leader and Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who is also the PAS spiritual leader, have since lodged police reports over the accusations.