Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari's determination to degazette a huge part of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve seems to have left some of the state assemblypersons befuddled.
This came as the state government seemingly wanted to go against the wish of the Selangor state legislative assembly, which two months ago made a unanimous decision to protect the 931ha of peat forest.
"The Selangor state legislative assembly had passed a unanimous resolution last November to stop the degazettement of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve and to protect all other Forest Reserves in Selangor.
"It is indeed rare for the House to have expressed its will in such a clear and decisive manner.
"As such, the state government should take this matter seriously and stop all physical development within the forests in Selangor, especially in Kuala Langat," said Selangor state assembly Backbenchers Council chairperson Elizabeth Wong.
Wong, who is Bukit Lanjan assemblyperson, pointed out that this was the reason why all state assemblies must be allowed to continue their role during the emergency.
"To represent the will of our constituents and to continue to act as check and balance to the powers of the executive," she added.
Najwan Halimi (Kota Anggerik) also gave a similar point when contacted by Malaysiakini.
He said that not only the state assembly had made its decision on Nov 11, 2020, the Sultan of Selangor had also decreed in March 2019 that forest reserves in the state shall be protected.
"I hope the state government will listen to the protests and the voice of the people," he said on Twitter.
Meru assemblyperson Mohd Fakhrulrazi Mohd Mokhtar, meanwhile, questioned the motive behind the state government's intention to consider the plan even when it has received strong objections.
He said there was no pressing need to develop the forest area.
"There are many types of flora and fauna that are facing extinction in that forest area. So, we should protect this treasure in our state.
"To me, there is no pressing need to do development there. There are still many areas that are being developed, which are not fully utilised yet. Even in Shah Alam (state capital)," he said.
Fakhrulrazi said if the state government goes ahead to degazette the reserve, it is a disrespect to the state legislative assembly.
He also mulled taking further action in case this happens, including to drag the Selangor government to court.
"They must remember, there are numerous objections from the rakyat, and the government must put the rakyat's interest first.
"It is something that is unreasonable to disrespect the protests made by the rakyat and state assemblypersons. It seems that there is something wrong somewhere," he said.
Meanwhile, Kampung Tunku assemblyperson Lim Yi Wei urges the state government to cancel its plan to degazette the reserve.
"I hope the state government would respect the wish of the motion (in the state assembly) and the role of assemblypersons who carry the voice of the people in the Dewan," she said in a text message.
Another assemblyperson, Rajiv Rishkaryan (Bukit Gasing), also voiced the same protest.
He urges all state executive council members to reject the degazettement in their exco meeting.
"It is not just the MB, but all excos," he said.
In an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini earlier this week, Amirudin had said that the decision on degazetting the forest reserve may take another month.
While he reassured that the state government would take into account more than 40,000 objections to the plan, Amirudin had also described some of the objections as "irrelevant".
His remarks and determination to consider the plan had since irked environmentalists. - Mkini
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