Forest reserve degazettement subject to conditions, procedures, says Pahang MB

 This follows the state's move not to conduct a public inquiry and provide replacement land before an area is removed from the permanent forest reserves.

Menteri besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said Pahang views land and forests as a state matter, so it is appropriate for the state government to manage them. (Bernama pic)

KUANTAN:

The Pahang government has stressed that the process of degazetting permanent forest reserves in the state is not carried out arbitrarily, but is subject to strict controls, specific conditions and prescribed procedures.

Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.

Menteri besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the decision not to conduct a public inquiry was made based on the state’s jurisdiction over land and forest management.

He said the approach was not practised by Pahang alone, as several other states had also taken the same step.

“Pahang views land and forests as a state matter, so it is appropriate for the state government to manage them. Besides, we have certain conditions and so far, it has been going well,” he told reporters after attending the Makmur Pahang Initiative Handover Ceremony here today.

He said this when asked to comment on the state government’s decision not to conduct a public inquiry before the degazettement of permanent forest reserves.

Pahang was previously reported to be the fourth state not to adopt two key safeguards under the National Forestry Act (Amendment) 2022, namely the requirement to conduct a public inquiry and provide replacement land before an area is removed from the permanent forest reserves.

Meanwhile, Wan Rosdy said Pahang would introduce an interest-free loan initiative for motorcycle purchases, specifically for youths.

He said the initiative targeted youths aged 18 to 21 who were pursuing studies at public and private higher education institutions.

“This is an encouragement for our children pursuing tertiary studies. This initiative will be tabled in the 2027 Pahang budget at the upcoming state legislative assembly sitting,” he said. - FMT