KUALA LIPIS - Pahang is the first state in Malaysia to establish its own enforcement team through the formation of the Pahang State Enforcement Unit (UPNP) to protect the state's interests and prevent revenue losses and leakages.
Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the unit was responsible for combating illegal activities, including land encroachment, illegal logging and sand theft.
He said the state government took these activities seriously as they could affect state revenue and threaten its natural resources.
"The function of UPNP is to ensure there is no illegal land encroachment, illegal logging or sand theft. Its personnel are deployed throughout Pahang.
"We are very firm. Previously, we made arrests and issued compounds, but I found that these activities were still taking place. Eventually, we decided that whenever we detect illegal land clearing, we will not issue compounds but take the offenders directly to court," he said.
He was speaking at the 'Sinar Harian People's Town Hall programme with Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail', held at Dewan Jubli Perak Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah here on Monday.
However, Wan Rosdy said the stricter action was not intended to embarrass or shame any party, but rather to ensure such activities were curbed.
He said the state government aimed to eliminate these illegal activities or, at the very least, reduce them to a minimum to protect the state's natural resources.
He added that the efforts also required cooperation and commitment from the state administration team to ensure enforcement was carried out effectively.