Following an uproar over a controversial directive from the Gua Musang Jakoa Office barring outsiders from the area without prior approval, Jakoa's (Orang Asli Development Department) central office has issued a statement saying the decision was made to help with disaster mitigation.

The contentious directive issued an order to all Orang Asli village heads in the district to bar outsiders, including those from welfare NGOs from entering their area without prior approval of Jakoa, the Forestry Department and Gua Musang Land and Territory Office.