The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry has expressed its disapproval of the Selangor government’s move to degazette half of the Kuala Langat (North) Forest Reserve.
The federal ministry has no locus standi over the move as land matters are under state control.
Nevertheless, newly minted minister Takiyuddin Hassan hoped the state government would ensure the area will be developed in a sustainable manner.
“In principle, the ministry along with departments and agencies under it have expressed their disagreement on the move to degazette the forest reserve, especially during the early stages of the Selangor government’s proposal.
“The ministry along with the relevant departments and agencies had filed official objections to the Selangor government regarding the degazettement of the forest reserve in 2020,” he said in a statement today.
Takiyuddin (above) proposed that a “buffer zone” be maintained between the remaining forest and areas zoned for development.
“We hope the Selangor government ensures that the degazetted part of the forest is developed in a responsible manner and takes into account sustainable development practices.
“This includes ensuring an adequate buffer zone and full compliance with all conditions set in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.
“This is to ensure that the intending development does not jeopardise the adjacent forest and ecosystem, as well as the lives of the local community, especially the Orang Asli,” he said.
The state government is gazetting three parcels of forest land from other parts of Selangor to “replace” the degazetted zone.
Takiyuddin hoped these replacement forests would be preserved.
“The ministry recommends that these replacement areas continue to be protected and conserved to ensure forested areas in Selangor remain,” he said.
On Aug 30, Selangor executive councillor Hee Loy Sian stunned the State Legislative Assembly when he said 536.7ha of the Kuala Langat (North) Forest Reserve had been degazetted three months ago.
This amounts to 54 percent of the entire forest reserve and is equivalent to the size of 865 football fields.
Of this area, private firm Gabungan Indah Sdn Bhd is to be given 494.7ha for a mixed-development project.
Gabungan Indah has a paid-up capital of RM1 but it is ultimately owned by Perdana Parkcity Sdn Bhd, the developer behind luxury township Desa ParkCity.
The state government has since come under fire for the delayed announcement, a lack of transparency, and for going ahead with the degazettement despite widespread objections.
Critics include environmental groups, civil society, and lawmakers on both sides of the political divide.
Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari and Hee were summoned last night by their party PKR for an explanation.
Amirudin supposedly said he would postpone the degazettement process until the air was cleared. Malaysiakini has yet to obtain confirmation from his office about this.
The Kuala Langat (North) Forest Reserve is a peat swamp forest recognised as the habitat for the Malayan sun bear, Langat red fighting fish, the Selangor pygmy flying squirrel and meranti trees.
It is also a source of livelihood and food for the surrounding Temuan Orang Asli. - Mkini
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