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KUANTAN – All 29 individuals including a Selangor assemblyman were released on police bail early today after they were detained yesterday for allegedly entering the Ulu Jelai Forest Reserve in Lipis illegally.
Lipis district police chief Azli Mohd Noor said when contacted that they were released at about 3am after their statements were taken.
He said the police investigation was conducted due to the group having travelled cross-state without permission while their alleged entry into the forest reserve without a permit was investigated by the Pahang Forestry Department.
Yesterday, the department confirmed that all the suspects, who were from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, were arrested at 8am in Kg Rakoh, Pos Lenjang for allegedly entering the forest reserve in 11 four-wheel-drive vehicles without a permit.
It is learnt that the group, including seven women, had entered the forest reserve to provide food aid to the Orang Asli residents there.
Upon checking, the department and the Disaster Operations Control Centre found that no approval had been given for the purpose. – Bernama, July 19, 2021
