Bera: Over 7,000 hectares of the Tasik Bera Permanent Forest Reserve are suspected to have been illegally cleared for commercial crops like oil palm and rubber. The Pahang State Enforcement Unit (UPNP) has made this observation during ongoing enforcement operations.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, UPNP chief Saifullah Muhammad Ali reported that the detection was made during integrated enforcement operations that began on September 14. These operations involved 160 officers and personnel from UPNP, the Pahang State Forestry Department, the Pahang Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), and the Bera District and Land Office. Security support was also provided by the Bera district police and the General Operations Force (GOF) 7th Battalion.

Saifullah further revealed that illegal syndicates from outside Pahang are suspected of manipulating the Orang Asli community to clear large land areas under the guise of customary land and roaming areas. Some areas with only six Orang Asli houses have been cleared, covering up to 404.68 hectares.

On September 15, enforcement efforts led to the arrest of five individuals for allegedly obstructing officers during an operation at the Tasek Bera Conservation Forest Reserve. Bera police chief Supt Zulkiflee Nazir commented that the suspects, consisting of one man and four women aged between their 30s and 60s, were arrested under Section 186 of the Penal Code. The group was reportedly setting up barricades and provoking officers during the enforcement operations conducted under the National Forestry Act 1984.