PETALING JAYA: A plantation company has came out to say it is not responsible for the illegal blockade near the orang asli blockade in Gua Musang, Kelantan.

M7 Plantation Bhd said that its workers were forced to use alternate routes at a higher cost and risk to avoid the blockade to access its Musang King durian plantation.

"The company and our staff are the victims – and not the cause – of an illegal blockade mounted by people claiming to represent the orang asli in Gua Musang, Kelantan for the past six months," it said in a statement on Thursday (Aug 9) issued through the public relations firm of Ming, KH & Associates Sdn Bhd.

"Having endured this long illegal blockade, we have now been accused of using force to dismantle the blockade (on) Aug 4," it said, adding that it categorically denies the allegation.

M7 Plantation added that one of its managers lodged a police report on July 30 about the illegal blockade which has denied him access to his worksite, and asked the police to monitor and ensure freedom of travel and access.

M7 Plantation noted that its plantation is being developed in phases based on a development agreement with the company which has a Land Use Permit issued by the Kelantan State Government since 2009.

"We have met all relevant land laws in the process of developing the plantation," it said.

"The Company does not have any ill motive against the orang asli or their perceived land rights. In fact, we currently hire scores of orang asli workers on site," it said, adding that it has always maintained a cordial and positive relationship with orang asli batins (headmen) as well as village chiefs of the kampungs in the Gua Musang district.

M7 Plantation calls on all parties to resolve any outstanding matters through proper dialogue at the state or federal level.

"The company wishes to appeal to all parties not to escalate this conflict further or aggravate the situation. Let the rule of law prevail," it said.

It was reported at the end of July that the orang asli community had claimed that the company was responsible for setting up a blockade near Pos Tohoi.

The villagers claimed that it was the first time they came across “outsiders” blocking their access to the jungle.