The Selangor Umno liaison committee today hit out at the state government for removing temporary farmers from Sungai Karang forest reserve land.

Its chairperson, Noh Omar said the committee received many complaints on the state government's action in issuing eviction notice to settlers and people occupying agricultural land under temporary occupation licence (TOL).

"Why must the state government be so aggressive in chasing the people out of government land? We must see the purpose of the notice issued," he told reporters at a rock melon harvesting ceremony in Kuala Langat yesterday.

Noh was commenting on a peaceful protest by settlers from Parit 14 and Parit 15 of Sungai Panjang, Sabak Bernam yesterday which claimed the state government was confiscating Sungai Karang forest reserve land which they had been occupying for almost 70 years.

The settlers demanded that the state government rescind its decision to take back the land and allow them to cultivate oil palm, padi and cocoa on the land.

In this regard, Noh said Selangor Umno had set up a secretariat chaired by Sungai Panjang assemblyperson Budiman Mohd Zohdi and appoint a legal firm to provide advice on the next course of action.

- Bernama