Where did Tasik Bera’s forest go? Pahang probes suspected illegal clearing of 7,000ha for crops

For illustration only. Pahang state enforcers are investigating the loss of 7,000 hectares of tree cover from the Tasik Bera Permanent Forest Reserve. — Pexels pic

First Published: Saturday, 19 Sep 2026 10:02 AM MYT

KUANTAN, Sept 19 — The Pahang State Enforcement Unit (UPNP) suspects that more than 7,000 hectares of the Tasik Bera Permanent Forest Reserve have been illegally cleared for commercial crops such as oil palm and rubber.

UPNP chief Saifullah Muhammad Ali said the matter was detected during integrated enforcement operations carried out in the area since Sept 14, involving 160 officers and personnel from UPNP, the Pahang State Forestry Department, the Pahang Department of Wildlife and National Parks, and the Bera District and Land Office.

“In addition, we also obtained security assistance from the Bera district police and the General Operations Force 7th Battalion,” he said.

Saifullah said UPNP also suspected that illegal syndicates from outside Pahang were manipulating the Orang Asli community to clear large tracts of land under the guise of customary land and roaming areas for the community.

He said some areas had only about six Orang Asli houses, yet the detected land clearing covered up to 404.68 hectares.

On Sept 15, police arrested five individuals for allegedly obstructing enforcement officers during an operation at the Tasek Bera Conservation Forest Reserve.

Bera police chief Supt Zulkiflee Nazir reportedly said the suspects, a man and four women aged between their 30s and 60s, were arrested to assist investigations under Section 186 of the Penal Code.

He said that while UPNP and several other agencies were conducting enforcement operations under the National Forestry Act 1984, a group of individuals was found setting up barricades and provoking enforcement officers carrying out their duties. — Bernama

* Editor’s note: UPNP is the Malay abbreviation of the Unit Penguatkuasaan Negeri Pahang.