5.0 PROJECT OPTION There are various project options relevant to

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5.0
PROJECT OPTION
There are various project options relevant to the proposed establishment of agriculture (vegetables) plantation project
plan to be initiated by TJ Natural Agro Farm (M) Sdn Bhd & Ratus Premium Sdn Bhd (TJRP) will be discussed and
analyzed in this report such as project location, hectarage, benefit, impact and no project option. This is to initially
identify the suitability of the proposed project site to be undertaken the proposed agriculture (vegetables) plantation
project. And the criteria for selecting the options are related to accomplishing the following objectives of the overall
proposed project development as listed below.
 Complementing Federal Government of Malaysia and State Government of Kelantan policy as well as strategy
for future development
 Enhancement of greening pattern of the proposed project site
 Long term investment and financial strategy of the investment
 Having the least potential impact to the surrounding existing environment
 Provide benefit to all parties involve in the proposed agriculture (vegetables) plantation project
 Cost effectiveness in the overall proposed agriculture (vegetables) plantation project
 Availability of resources and infrastructure as well as suitability of the land use area
 Revenue will be gained in short and long term development
5.1
PROJECT LOCATION OPTION
As described in Item 4.2 of Chapter 4.0, the proposed project site is located within the forest reserve area known as
HSK Lojing based on the Rancangan Struktur Negeri Kelantan 2020 and Rancangan Tempatan Jajahan Gua
Musang 2020. And based on the ‘Garis Panduan Pembangunan Kawasan Tanah Tinggi Lojing, 2005’, proposed
project site is consists of Class I and II physical development in scattered area. Even though, there is some restriction
occurred, the proposed project site has been approved and Perbadanan Pembangunan Ladang Rakyat Negeri
Kelantan (PPLRNK) as a landlord with undergone a development agreement with TJ Natural Agro Farm (M) Sdn
Bhd and Ratus Premium Sdn Bhd. The project location, which is being surrounded by various neighbouring
agriculture plantation (Agridex Sdn Bhd, Liquid Gold Sdn Bhd, All Green Agritech Sdn Bhd, YAKIN and Koperasi
Pembangunan Pulau Lumut Berhad) as well HSK Lojing and HSK Sungai Berok, is observed to have a various
technical characteristic that make it’s suitable and adequate for undertaking the agriculture (vegetables) plantation
activity. The proposed project site which located at the altitude ranged from 620 to 940 meter above sea level (ASL)
has an adequate weather condition with day time temperature of 22oC to 26oC. The implementation of proposed
agriculture (vegetables) plantation project will keep on maintain the primary objectives set up by the state and federal
government in enhancing the agriculture sector as well as implementing the ‘greening of the nation’ programme. It also
compliments not only to the state government but also the overall nation initiative in encouraging private agencies
involvement in commercial agricultural (vegetables) programme. The used of chosen proposed project site area will
also be more cost-effective compare to other type of land use. If other land use type is chosen, the process involve will
be tedious, which will result not only delayed the project implementation but also involve a very high project cost.
The proposed project site located some 1.6 km away at the north part area from Simpang Pulai-Lojing-Gua MusangKuala Berang highway thus considered near for transporting the seedling, building material, raw material, machine,
equipments, pesticide, fertilizers and workers needed for the proposed plantation project activity. Implementation of
this proposed agriculture (vegetables) plantation activity is a direct contribution to the environmental conservation
effort. Development of this proposed project site area will help the state government agency in controlling and
minimizing the illegal encroachment, illegal logging activity, preventing soil erosion, preservation of biological diversity
as well as reverse deforestation processes. And due to the location of the proposed project site which is closed to the
various Orang Asli community area (Orang Asli Kg Jekjok, Kg Kingkong, Kg Chekau, Kg Brooke and Kg Jedip), it will
give an advantage to the project proponent in term of the source of workers needed for the overall proposed
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agriculture (vegetables) plantation activities. On the other way, the proposed project activity will beneficial the
surrounding Orang Asli community in providing the employment, small business opportunity, upgrading of daily life,
enhance the infrastructure facility, sharing the latest agriculture technology, increasing value of the surrounding land
area, etc.
5.2
HECTARAGE OPTION
The 589.381 acres (238.515 hectares) of proposed project site is considered economically feasible for medium scale
of proposed agriculture (vegetables) plantation project. Analysis made using the ArcGIS 9, a GIS software on the
overall proposed project site revealed that almost 76.086 hectares of area has more than 25o of slope whilst about
11.926 hectares of area has slope more than 35o of slope. According to the Department of Agriculture (DOA), no
any development activity can be implemented at area which having slope more than 25o. And based on “Garis
Panduan Pembangunan Di Kawasan Tanah Tinggi Lojing, 2005”, no any development can be implemented at all
area which having slope more than 35o. It was expected that the proposed project could generate a good return to the
project proponent within a short period time, especially taking into consideration the sixty (60) years of leasing period
granted from Perbadanan Pembangunan Ladang Rakyat Negeri Kelantan (PPLRNK), where approximately quite a
number of rotations as well as vegetables planting exercise can be undertaken and replanted by TJRP. As the
proposed agriculture (vegetables) plantation project required a medium investment cost, the proposed project site can
be preferred however it is a non-option issue for the project proponent, as the area given is fixed by the State
Government of Kelantan. The proposed project success will mark new milestone for the agriculture industry as well
as sustainable forest development activity, which could encourage more private sector or may be local or even foreign
investor in venturing similar project in State Government of Kelantan area. This will provide a boost to the federal
and state government strategy in encouraging private sectors involvement in reforestation and forest rehabilitation
activities. In term of environmental conservation, 589.381 acres (238.515 hectares) is considered significant, however
it is very much depends on the compliances and also methods of project implementation as well as mitigating
measures that are willing to be carried out by the project proponent (TJRP). The proposed project site will function as
a carbon sink apart from playing effective roles in water conservation and preservation of genetic resources. It was
also expected during the final establishment of the proposed agriculture programme, the proposed site can always be
maintained as a green area. It will also contribute socio economically to the nearby local community in provide more
business, experience and employment opportunity.
5.3
BENEFIT OPTION
The proposed agriculture (vegetables) plantation project is expected to initially generate the net profit income after the
third year of overall project implementation to TJRP. A part of that indirect profit is also expected to be received by
nearby Orang Asli community area (Orang Asli Kg Jekjok, Kg Kingkong, Kg Chekau, Kg Brooke and Kg Jedip), Lojing,
Daerah Bertam but also to the State Government of Kelantan. Information gathered from the officer on-site as well
as observation made during various fieldworks exercise revealed that almost 212.5345 acres (86.01 ha) at various
scattered area within the proposed project site has partially being developed and planted with vegetables. The
agriculture product has great values which can easily being export to local and international market. And with the
available easy access from the Simpang Pulai-Lojing-Gua Musang-Kuala Berang highway, the harvested agriculture
product can be easily transported out from the proposed project site. It is expected to further enhance the socio
economic aspect as well as the infrastructure of the surrounding area which is expected to be accommodated by
TJRP to the nearby area. Compared to other industrial sectors or activity that requires large numbers of skilled or
semi-skilled workers, the agriculture sector particularly the planting will require labour and workers with minimal skills
and experience. This segment of labour force is readily available in Lojing, Daerah Bertam, Gua Musang as well as
other part of State Government of Kelantan, which currently is deprived of growth in manufacturing services industry
compared to other states in Malaysia. The proposed agriculture (vegetables) plantation project is expected to generate
other supporting businesses trade in the Lojing, Daerah Bertam as well as Jajahan Gua Musang area. These are
mainly in the form of supply or rental of hardware, machinery, vehicle, equipment spare-part, transportation, fertilizer,
pesticide, pastry food, etc.
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5.4
IMPACT OPTION
In any kind of development there is a potential impact that may occur on the existing environment within and also
surrounding of the proposed project sites. Even though without any development occur there were still a potential
impact that might occur at the existing proposed project site area which normally being classified as natural event. The
potential impact can be direct and indirect approach and also short term and long term impact depending on the
overall project implementation as well as effort given by the project proponent. Chapter 7.0 and 9.0 has
comprehensively described on the various type of potential impacts that may occur as a result of the overall project
implementation. All the identify impact can become very significant if not being properly taken care by the project
proponent. And in order to control, minimize and resolve the possible impact, various mitigating measures has been
recommended and suggested to be undertaken by the project proponent as highlighted in Chapter 8.0. Most of the
recommended mitigating measures can be considered as practical on-site and does not burden the project proponent
in providing the financial. As mentioned earlier, the level of potential impact that might occur on the existing
environment within and surrounding the proposed project site is very much depend on the willingness and effort
contributed by the project proponent.
As described in Chapter 8.0 of this report, all the forecasted impacts can be controlled, minimized and resolved
provided most of the mitigating measures have been in place at least before the overall project being executed
especially those related to the nearby various Orang Asli community area (Orang Asli Kg Jekjok, Kg Kingkong, Kg
Chekau, Kg Brooke and Kg Jedip). A part of that, understanding of each potential impact and its mitigating measures
as well as overall environmental compliance matter shall be incorporated in every level of management. By doing this,
the overall proposed agriculture project can generate more benefit option rather than impact option not only to the
project proponent but also to the nearby Orang Asli community area (Orang Asli Kg Jekjok, Kg Kingkong, Kg Chekau,
Kg Brooke and Kg Jedip), Lojing, Daerah Bertam, Jajahan Gua Musang, State Government of Kelantan and the
whole nation of Malaysia. As commonly known that any developments activity may give some impacts to the
environment, but the proposed agriculture (vegetables) plantation project will keep the proposed project site back to
normal with green area after a few years of plantation. Hence, it is just a temporary impact to the environment because
the proposed project site will be covered with vegetables and also the cover crops. TJRP will ensure that the proposed
project site is in a proper maintenance and also fulfill the compliances as required by DOE Negeri Kelantan and also
other respective government agencies. In addition, even the agriculture plantation project may give a critical situation
includes social justice for local Orang Asli community, the problem can be resolve by taken a few resolution steps from
a respectively parties.
5.5
NO PROJECT OPTION
Leaving the proposed project site without any proper development will make it very susceptible to potential illegal
encroachments which lately become a serious issue in the State Government of Kelantan especially in Lojing and
Gua Musang area. The limited manpower of enforcement units from relevant government agency has made much
more difficult to control and to resolve the matter. Encroached areas are very difficult to manage and control, normally
resulting the area to be alienated to public, or being used for other purposes. And the worst case is the area being
exposed to the open burning activity which also known to be one of the biggest problem in State of Kelantan. There
are many cases in the past which after many years then the local authority as well as state government were get to
know that the area has been illegally being developed either by the individual or group. At this time normally is too late
to take the action because damaged has been made and the government has already loss the source of potential
revenue that may gathered from the respective area. The ‘no project option’ will also deprive the state government
from the much-needed private investment into the agricultural sector to generate the revenue. It will be a lost of
opportunity for the surrounding nearby Orang Asli community area (Orang Asli Kg Jekjok, Kg Kingkong, Kg Chekau,
Kg Brooke and Kg Jedip), Lojing, Daerah Bertam, Jajahan Gua Musang as well as State Government of Kelantan
not only to earn an additional income from the proposed agriculture project but also to gain knowledge, experience,
expertise and skills in plantation establishment and management which known to be very rare in Malaysia. A part of
that it may slowdown the production of agriculture sector in State Government of Kelantan as well as Malaysia and
unable to cope with the local and worldwide high demand thus loss in foreign exchange revenues. And much more
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important is the State Government of Kelantan has issued the ‘Hak Milik Sementara’ to the various individual
landlord which in principle has allow the project proponent to develop the proposed project site. Withdrawing the
approval may expose State Government of Kelantan to legal matter which may create lots of difficulties for both
parties (State Government of Kelantan and TJRP).
5.6
PROPOSED AND SUGGESTED OPTION
It is of the consultant opinion that the proposed project is viable, appropriate and can be considered for the
implementation by the project proponent and be beneficial to various parties who direct and indirectly involve in the
development. Even though there is a potential environmental impact targeted to be occurred on the existing
environment within and surrounding the proposed project site especially during the initial stage of project
implementation, it is justified and more on localized as well as can be minimized and controlled provided most of the
recommended mitigating measure by the consultant and also guidelines issued by the respective government
agencies (DOE Negeri Kelantan, Department of Irrigation & Drainage, Department of Forestry, Pejabat
Pengarah Tanah & Galian, Pejabat Tanah & Jajahan Kecil Lojing, Department of Agriculture, Department of
Wildlife & National Parks, Department of Health, Department of Occupational Safety & Health, Jabatan
Kemajuan Orang Asli, etc.) is being well undertaken by the project proponent. This mitigating measure as well as
environmental monitoring exercise is suggested to be made mandatory by DOE Negeri Kelantan to the project
proponent to undertake without compromise based on all the PEIA Condition of Approval. A proper Erosion &
Sediment Control Plan (ESCP) shall be prepared and submitted by a qualified and competent person for approval
from DID Negeri Kelantan. And upon approval all component of ESCP shall be implemented on-site on mandatory
basis. Any issue arise pertaining to the community of Orang Asli Kg Jekjok, Kg Kingkong, Kg Chekau, Kg Brooke and
Kg Jedip shall be treated seriously and an immediate action shall be taken in order to resolve the respective issue.
The project proponent is also suggested to officially assign a permanent and qualified Project Environmental Officer
(PEO) on site to cater all the environmental compliance works that required to be undertaken on-site during the whole
proposed agriculture development. An immediate action such as heavy penalty and even a court action shall be taken
by respective government agencies on any incompliance matter done by the project proponent or other parties involve
in the proposed project implementation. In especially remote areas, the agriculture plantation should be asked to be
always sensitive on the workers need and also attention must be given on the workers includes their family health
care. These steps can help make agriculture production more equitable and environmentally friendly. A part of that, in
long term the proposed project will not only beneficial to the nearby Orang Asli community area (Orang Asli Kg Jekjok,
Kg Kingkong, Kg Chekau, Kg Brooke and Kg Jedip), Lojing, Daerah Bertam, Jajahan Gua Musang, State of Kelantan
but also to the nation especially in sustaining the high quality of greening area.
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