Shariffa Sabrina appeals to state govt to reopen entrance of her cafe in Bentong

SHAH ALAM – The owner of Tanah Aina Fareena Cafe in Lentang, Bentong has appealed to the Pahang state government to reopen the two entrances to the property to avoid the ecotourism venture from facing closure.

Puan Sri Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil said the purpose of the business was solely to enhance the reputation of the state through the ecotourism sector.

"I appeal to the state government to allow me to continue my business because this is to uplift the name of the state because Bentong has a natural attraction as a recreation location.

"I am not an enemy, I just want to beautify the place (an attraction) and I want to work together (to continue promoting attractive tourism areas in Pahang)," she said at a press conference at the cafe, here, today.

She said this following the closure of the entrance to Tanah Aina Fareena Cafe's parking lot entirely by the Pahang State Enforcement Unit (UPNP), yesterday.

It was reported that the cafe was issued with a warning notice for parking closure but it was alleged that they disobeyed the notice.

Pahang's Public Works, Transport and Health Exco Ir Razali Kassim said the decision to take action was made during the Pahang state government meeting because the owner had used government land as a parking lot for the restaurant.

However, Shariffa, who is also former Association for the Protection of the Natural Heritage of Malaysia (Peka) president claimed that she only received a written warning notice for the closure of the parking lot.

"We have appealed for the postponement of the parking closure via email to the Pahang State Legal Advisor's Office last Friday but no official response has been received.

"However, due to the closure of the parking lot, two entrances to my cafe have been blocked, causing some customers to cancel their reservations," she claimed.

She said the situation led customers to park their vehicles on the side of a narrow road and walk approximately 300 metres to reach the cafe.

Meanwhile, her lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan claimed that the closing action was not done rightfully because his client did not receive any written warning beforehand from the relevant party.

"It is absurd if a person who owns the premises or land cannot enter their own property as if they do not have the right to do so," he said.