SHAH ALAM, Dec 18 — SD Guthrie will issue an official notice directing cattle farmers unlawfully occupying its land to relocate their livestock from the company’s plantation in Sabak Bernam by January 31.
State executive councillor for rural development and unity Datuk Rizam Ismail said the decision was made during a meeting with SD Guthrie representatives yesterday.
He said the measure followed complaints from various parties about free-range cattle endangering public safety, including an incident on October 23 in which a man died after his motorcycle hit a cow in Sabak Bernam.
“At the meeting, SD Guthrie clarified the roaming cattle do not belong to them. Instead, they are owned by farmers who are illegally occupying SD Guthrie’s land, and the involved farmers have been identified,” he said in a statement today.
Rizam said that as a short-term solution, the meeting also proposed temporary alternative locations, such as Sungai Lang and Tebuk Jawa in Sabak Bernam, to accommodate the livestock.
“Farmers are advised to apply for temporary occupation licence from the state government as a long-term solution,” he said.
He added that at the meeting, it was agreed there will be a special committee set up to monitor livestock farming at SD Guthrie plantations.
— Bernama
