KUANTAN, Sept. 19 -- The Pahang State Enforcement Unit (UPNP) suspects that more than 7,000 hectares of the Tasik Bera Permanent Forest Reserve have been illegally cleared for commercial crops such as oil palm and rubber.

UPNP chief Saifullah Muhammad Ali said the matter was detected during integrated enforcement operations carried out in the area since Sept 14, involving 160 officers and personnel from UPNP, the Pahang State Forestry Department, the Pahang Department of Wildlife and National Parks, and the Bera District and Land Office.

"In addition, we also obtained security assistance from the Bera district police and the General Operations Force 7th Battalion," he said.

Saifullah said UPNP also suspected that illegal syndicates fro...