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KUANTAN: The situation in Cameron Highlands is peaceful and safe to visit, said Pahang police chief Datuk Abd Jalil Hassan.

He said claims that there had been riots and protests in the area following the ‘Op Lestari 2’ on Dec 16 as depicted on social media were untrue.

Abd Jalil stressed that police had dispersed the 200-odd people who had demonstrated against the operations on Monday, in accordance with the standard operating procedure depicted by the law.

“The police force led by Cameron Highlands district police chief DSP Ashari Abu Samah assisted the local Land and District Office which had to clear the land of encroachments,” he said.

“We were also assured by the Pahang state government that action was being taken within the law, including giving ample time for the illegal farm operators to vacate the land,” he said.

He said seven people, including two politicians, who were detained during the protest have been released on police bail after they gave their statements to the police on the same day.

“We also confirm that no children were arrested on that day and the photos which were spread on the social media are untrue. Cameron Highlands is still safe for tourists,” he said.

‘Op Lestari 2’ is a continuation of ‘Op Lestari’ which was carried out jointly by several agencies including the National Security Council with the objective of preserving water resources especially Sungai Ichat, Kuala Terla, which have been polluted.

During ‘Op Lestari 2’, police were deployed to provide security for officers carrying out the operations at illegal farms spread over 97.12 hectares, involving 60 owners, mostly around Sungai Ichat.

The decision to implement ‘Op Lestari 2’ was made on Dec 9 at the Cameron Highlands Rehabilitation Joint Action Committee meeting which was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail. – Bernama