KUANTAN: The Pahang government has approved a proposal to reserve 510.6ha for the Orang Asli community in Kampung Pantos in Kuala Lipis, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.

       He said the move was part of a new economic project site for the Orang Asli, including a proposal to plant high-quality durian trees jointly developed by state-owned and private companies.

       “The direct benefits to be obtained by the Orang Asli in this area are dividends or profits from the cooperation.

       “This approval will benefit the residents of the village, in terms of the security of the settlement and the economic project,” he said in a statement posted on his Facebook page yesterday.

       Wan Rosdy said there were currently 1,940 people from 352 families living in the area planting crops such as oil palm and rubber.

       The project was jointly developed with the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda), with the Orang Asli community receiving dividends from their crops. — Bernama