KUANTAN: Safety aspects concerning hill slope areas and highlands bordering Pahang and Selangor will be brought to the attention of the federal government. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said matters concerning hill slopes and highlands, which had never been discussed before, would be raised during an upcoming meeting between the state leaders and the federal government. "There is a need to activate a council which handles issues concerning slopes. So either the Selangor Menteri Besar (Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari) or myself will highlight issues related to this matter to the federal government. "We seek their assistance to help us on matters concerning the hill slopes bordering Pahang and Selangor.
"This includes conducting studies on safety aspects, enforcement and development projects," he told reporters during a joint press conference with Amirudin after the first meeting between the Pahang and Selangor governments at Wisma Sri Pahang here today. Wan Rosdy said since both the Pahang and Selangor borders included hilly areas especially Genting Highlands and Fraser's Hill, their discussions also focused on the need to avoid overdevelopment. Meanwhile, Amirudin said the meeting today was to help pave the way in coordinating joint efforts involving development, rules and regulations and monitoring at highland areas including Genting Highlands and Fraser's Hill. "We hope the series of meetings (between Pahang and Selangor governments) will help us ensure coordinated works at hill slopes and highlands. Both localities (in Pahang and Selangor) are exposed to similar risks (natural disasters) and at the same time offer good potential (tourism attraction)," he said.
Meanwhile, at the meeting, Wan Rosdy said other issues that were raised included hiking activities at the forest reserves bordering Pahang and Selangor as there were some outdoor enthusiasts who carried out the activities without permission. "Hiking in forest reserves without consent will make it difficult for both state governments in case of any untoward incident. We have discussed the issue and will look into coming out with a solution on the matter. "The other matters discussed included the raw water supply between Pahang and Selangor, food security, the marking of Pahang-Selangor boundary, exploring economic potentials and further enhancing a two-way working relationship between both states."This meeting is the first step towards achieving win-win ties between us," he said, adding a second meeting would be held in Selangor before Ramadan.
He said all the matters raised during the meeting would be scrutinised by the respective state secretaries from Pahang and Selangor before they sit down with a technical committee to be led by executive council members from both states. "The issues have been identified and now we move towards identifying long-term solutions. We have to go into detail and several technical committees might be involved… one might be responsible for slopes and highland issues while another on food security. "These series of discussions will help both state governments to learn from each other, and apply certain success stories… in terms of economic growth and industry, Selangor is more advanced… maybe learn from Pahang in tourism." he said.
