Kangar council supports reopening of Wang Kelian border market
KANGAR: The Kangar Municipal Council (MPKangar) supports proposals to revitalise cross-border trade and tourism at Wang Kelian, nearly a decade after the discovery of mass graves that shocked the nation.
The proposed initiatives follow sweeping security enhancements implemented after the 2015 discovery of mass graves in Wang Burma, believed to be victims of human trafficking.
The incident prompted the discontinuation of the free-flow border mechanism in the area.
MPKangar president Affendi Rajini Kanth said the council is optimistic that the Special Area Plan will clearly define jurisdictional boundaries between the Forest Department and MPKangar, allowing for better coordination in managing the area.
"We are hoping the Special Area Plan will segregate responsibilities between the Forest Department and MPKangar, enabling the reactivation of the Wang Kelian-Wang Prachan border market (Nat)," he told the New Straits Times when contacted.
Affendi said that the mass graves and remains found in the area have since been relocated and reburied in Kampung Tualang, Pokok Sena.
"The case happened in 2015 and was the main reason for the discontinued free-flow arrangement at the Wang Kelian-Wang Prachan border," he said.
He noted that, based on findings from the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI), the Wang Burma area is now free of any remnants related to the incident.
Last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an allocation to upgrade the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex at Wang Kelian.
The improvements include enhanced fencing, floodlights, high-definition CCTVs, and drone surveillance to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail also voiced support for reviving the free-flow zone but added that security would not be compromised.
He said stricter regulations would be enforced when the zone reopens.
In 2023, Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli said Wang Kelian would be developed as a border town under the Special Area Plan framework led by the Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia).
Meanwhile, Affendi said MPKangar remains focused on supporting efforts to revitalise the border town's economy while awaiting federal approval of the Special Area Plan.
"We leave it to the authorities to approve the plan. Only then can we move forward," he said.
The Wang Kelian border crossing was once a vibrant weekend marketplace. Thousands of visitors contributed significantly to the local economy before security concerns brought activity to a halt.
In 2015, then Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed the discovery of 139 graves and camps linked to human trafficking along the Malaysia-Thailand border.
In 2019, then Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the Wang Kelian human trafficking case in depth.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Daily Express
Two Ranau villages to be excised from reserve
Published on: Monday, June 02, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 02, 2025 By: Clarence Dol Text Size: Abidin and others show the thumbs up for the decision to excise the two villages from Forest Reserve as well as for the Kaamatan celebration in Kg Ponulangon. RANAU: The State Government has agreed to remove two villages here, namely Kg Ponulangon and Kg Walou, from the Forest Reserve area. Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Abidin Madingkir, said the matter was decided following several meetings with the Director of Forestry and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Hj Noor. 'I am pleased to announce that, in principle, the Chief Minister has given approval. 'This means that the villagers can apply for land ownership and the land can be cultivated for farming, building houses and so on, without interference from the Forest Department. 'However, this approval will be brought to the State Assembly for ratification,' said the Paginatan Assemblyman. He added that in this regard, the Forest Department will go down to the field to identify how much land will be removed from the Forest Reserve 'As the Wakil Rakyat, I will continue to strive to realise the aspirations of the villagers just like our efforts to realise the construction of a road from Kg Walou, Kg Ponulangon to Kg Tinanom. 'On the needs of the Mini Dewan in Kg Ponulangon, we submitted an application for the construction of a Mini Dewan to the District Office last year,' he said. 'I will instruct UPPM to refer back to the application. Hopefully we will be able to solve this matter this year too.' Abidin said this while officiating the Kg Ponulangon-level Kaamatan Festival held at the Balai Raya Kg Ponulangon, recently. He commended the leaders and residents of Kg Ponulangon for organising the village-level Kaamatan Festival. 'The theme 'Kaamatan for All' is significant because now Kaamatan is celebrated by all levels of society regardless of race or religious differences. 'For the KDMR community, Kaamatan is celebrated because we are grateful for the good harvest. All of this is a gift from God,' he said. According to him, the Kaamatan Festival is held every year because it is a local culture that must be preserved for future generations. Apart from that, he said, Kaamatan can unite the people. Meanwhile, Abidin said the government has revived the Sabah Padi and Rice Board with the aim of increasing local paddy production to reduce dependence on imported rice which is still at 72pc. He called on the residents of Kg Ponulangon to continue to support Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the upcoming PRN17 for the continuation of the GRS government's development programme through the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan. 'For our part, we will continue to serve the people because there are still many unfinished business. 'We are confident in the strong support of the residents of Kg Ponulangon,' he said. Also present were Special Officer to Datuk Abidin Madingkir, Juis Konsuling, CDO Jipili Sigal, KAN Dualis Porodtong, KAN Sawalin Zakaria, KAN Kapilin Hj Surop, Mukim Paus Developer, Jasni Maston and local leaders. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Kangar council supports reopening of Wang Kelian border market
KANGAR: The Kangar Municipal Council (MPKangar) supports proposals to revitalise cross-border trade and tourism at Wang Kelian, nearly a decade after the discovery of mass graves that shocked the nation. The proposed initiatives follow sweeping security enhancements implemented after the 2015 discovery of mass graves in Wang Burma, believed to be victims of human trafficking. The incident prompted the discontinuation of the free-flow border mechanism in the area. MPKangar president Affendi Rajini Kanth said the council is optimistic that the Special Area Plan will clearly define jurisdictional boundaries between the Forest Department and MPKangar, allowing for better coordination in managing the area. "We are hoping the Special Area Plan will segregate responsibilities between the Forest Department and MPKangar, enabling the reactivation of the Wang Kelian-Wang Prachan border market (Nat)," he told the New Straits Times when contacted. Affendi said that the mass graves and remains found in the area have since been relocated and reburied in Kampung Tualang, Pokok Sena. "The case happened in 2015 and was the main reason for the discontinued free-flow arrangement at the Wang Kelian-Wang Prachan border," he said. He noted that, based on findings from the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI), the Wang Burma area is now free of any remnants related to the incident. Last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an allocation to upgrade the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex at Wang Kelian. The improvements include enhanced fencing, floodlights, high-definition CCTVs, and drone surveillance to prevent similar incidents from recurring. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail also voiced support for reviving the free-flow zone but added that security would not be compromised. He said stricter regulations would be enforced when the zone reopens. In 2023, Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli said Wang Kelian would be developed as a border town under the Special Area Plan framework led by the Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia). Meanwhile, Affendi said MPKangar remains focused on supporting efforts to revitalise the border town's economy while awaiting federal approval of the Special Area Plan. "We leave it to the authorities to approve the plan. Only then can we move forward," he said. The Wang Kelian border crossing was once a vibrant weekend marketplace. Thousands of visitors contributed significantly to the local economy before security concerns brought activity to a halt. In 2015, then Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed the discovery of 139 graves and camps linked to human trafficking along the Malaysia-Thailand border. In 2019, then Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the Wang Kelian human trafficking case in depth.
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Failure to meet conditions led to termination of upper Baram Forest Project
KUCHING: The failure of Switzerland-based environmental group Bruno Manser Fonds (BMF) to meet conditions set by the Sarawak government has led to the termination of the Upper Baram Forest Area (UBFA) project under the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO). Deputy Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh said BMF had focused solely on the Penan community in the UBFA, overlooking other key indigenous groups such as the Kenyah, Kelabit and Saban, who also have legitimate interests in the area. Responding to a question from Datuk Dennis Ngau (GPS–Telang Usan) during the Sarawak legislative assembly sitting today, Len Talif said BMF's approach risked undermining community harmony. "BMF sought to designate the area as a 'Purely Conservation Area' solely for the Penan's livelihood, despite the existence of a TPA (Totally Protected Area) nearby," he said. He added that the project's termination would not affect the well-being of local communities, as various initiatives by the Forest Department, ministries and government agencies are being executed to improve livelihoods across multiple sectors. Len Talif said the Sarawak government has collaborated with ITTO through the Forest Department on 16 projects since 1992, with a total value of RM68.8 million. "The Sarawak Forest Department has not cancelled a single project signed with ITTO since 1992, except for this one involving the UBFA," he said. He added that the department is set to implement two new projects with ITTO this year: one in Sungai Menyang, Batang Ai, with an allocation of RM1.12 million, and another in Upper Baram, with RM645,000. "The Sarawak government, acting through the Forest Department, has no issue working with any NGO, whether local or international, as long as their agenda does not conflict with state or federal government policies," he said. – BERNAMA
