The Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia has confirmed that there is no illegal logging or encroachment in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve (HSUM) in Sik, Kedah, said Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Although the ministry has received the report from the Forestry Department, he assured that the ministry will continuously monitor the situation to ensure that such things do not occur.
“We will continue investigating because we receive complaints from NGOs and so on.
“Based on the satellite data, we will do further investigation to ensure that there is no encroachment there,” Nik Nazmi (above) told a press conference during a working visit for the Green Worship House programme at Sekolah Menengah Agama Tarbiah Diniah in Kulim, Kedah today.
“From what is being said, the data from satellites and the like, we will investigate further to ensure that there is no encroachment,” he added.
The minister said the basin in the forest reserve was sensitive as it affected the water supply of three states - Kedah, Perlis and Penang.
Recently, environmental NGO RimbaWatch claimed that logging activities in the HSUM area have caused Tasik Muda - the main source of water for users in Penang and Kedah - to suffer from sedimentation problems.
According to a study conducted on satellite imagery, it was found that the Muda Dam has accumulated deposits since March 2023 and the situation worsened in October.
Proposal not new
On Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow's proposal to set up the Ulu Muda Basin Authority to manage the water resources in the area, Nik Nazmi said it was not a new suggestion.
Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor reportedly said that the proposal was an interference in the affairs of the Kedah region and he was determined to disallow the implementation of such a proposal while in state office.
- Bernama
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