Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has blasted the controversial decision initially announced by the Selangor government to partially degazette the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR).
He also expressed his support for Energy and Natural Resources Minister Takiyuddin Hassan who stated that he did not agree with the proposed degazetting of the KLNFR by the state government.
"For the Environment Ministry, any depletion of existing forest reserve will affect the target of 45 percent reduction in carbon intensity (per GDP) by 2030 under the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2021," Tuan Ibrahim (above) said in a statement today.
Following widespread backlash over the degazettement, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari was summoned by his party PKR to explain the matter.
According to PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil, the menteri besar agreed to “postpone” the degazettement but Amirudin has yet to come forward to confirm the matter.
What is confirmed is that Amirudin has been mandated by Selangor Pakatan Harapan to bring the matter to tomorrow’s (Sept 8) state executive council meeting for more discussions.
Tuan Ibrahim also addressed the issue of the alleged clearing of part of the 308ha peat swamp forest in the Sungai Panjang Forest Reserve (SPFR) in Sabak Bernam, which was recently gazetted to partly “replace” the KLNFR.
This controversial move is being reassessed and a stop-work order was issued earlier this year following land-clearing efforts in the SPFR.
"To date, no environmental impact assessment (EIA) report has been submitted to the Environment Department (DOE) on issues involving development proposals at the SPFR.
"Any decision on whether development in the SPFR is justified is subject to the results of the EIA assessment," he said, adding that it was a requirement under Section 34(A) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127) enforced by the DOE.
The absence of such a report means that any such clearing activity is illegal and punishable under the law.
Tuan Ibrahim said that his ministry is willing to provide consultations and hold sessions to engage with the state government to find the best solution to these issues.
"Our priority is to ensure every development project is implemented sustainably without having a negative impact on the environment," he added.
Crucial climate change pledges part of 100 day KPI
Aside from that, Tuan Ibrahim said that a framework to improve and enforce climate change laws will be among 10 key performance indexes (KPIs) of his ministry as part of Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's 100-day target for all cabinet ministers.
He pledged that aside from these new laws, there would be a new carbon trading scheme, a roadmap for plastic sustainability and changes to the National Greenhouse Gases Inventory Centre.
Tuan Ibrahim also targeted changes to the hotly disputed water management sector, including the setting of a fair and transparent tariff mechanism.
The Kubang Kerian MP said there would be a push for industries to use reclaimed water while also ensuring better access to potable water and sewerage treatment for all.
He added that the ministry would aim to increase water reserves nationally and that he was targeting more enforcement of pollution laws and critical flood mitigation projects.
Tuan Ibrahim also pledged that beachfronts would be restored to fulfil an international obligation to raise awareness on environmental sustainability. = Mkini
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