A group of hikers were arrested yesterday around 11 AM for trespassing in a restricted forest area in Selangor.
According to Serdang district police chief ACP Mohamad Farid bin Ahmad, the arrests were made during a Forest Enforcement Operation carried out by the Selangor State Forestry Department’s enforcement and Eco Park teams, with help from several other agencies.
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“They were found trespassing without a permit”
Mohamad Farid said a total of 75 people were caught trespassing in the forest without a valid Forest Entry Permit (Form 6) under the National Forestry Act 1985 (Application) Enactment.
“They were found entering the Permanent Forest Reserve at Bukit Wawasan, Puchong, without the required permit. All of them were taken to the Serdang District Police Headquarters for further action,” he said in a statement.
He added that the only area open to the public is Forest Trail 1, a 2.8km route within the Ayer Itam Forest Reserve, starting and ending at the Bukit Wawasan foothill in Pusat Bandar Puchong. This was decided by the Selangor State Executive Council back in 2012.
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All 75 individuals were released on bail
Mohamad Farid said all the detainees were later released on bail by the Selangor State Forestry Department.
The case is being investigated under Section 47 of the National Forestry Act 1985 for entering a Permanent Forest Reserve without permission.
He also reminded the public that recreational visits to the forest, which is famous for its majestic ‘blue lagoon’, are not allowed, as permits are only given for educational and research purposes through UPM’s Forestry Division.
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