Sungai Petani Bersih would like to show our support for the statement of protest by Malaysian Nature Society chairman Pang Fatt Khow concerning the proposed logging of forest reserves in Ulu Muda, Kedah. We would like to bring your attention to the newspaper report Don't log in catchment areas in The Star (Jan 5).

According to the article, WTK Holdings Sdn Bhd and Tuju Jauh Sdn Bhd carried out the detailed environmental impact assessment (EIA), which stated that the impact of logging could be minimised by heli-harvesting only three trees per 0.405ha. However the report failed to highlight the potential impact of the construction of logging roads, measuring 401.4km by 10m wide.

There has already been a deliberate attempt to cover up the potential impact of the construction of logging roads, which was highlighted by the MNS chairman. We detest the state government for its poor foresight and mismanagement of the people's forests.

We would like to voice our concern about the implications for the environment should this destruction of the forest be allowed to go on. Landslides will lead to river pollution and siltation problems. Water supply to the padi fields and for drinking will be reduced. Exotic fauna will be driven out of their habitat.

But most of all, we are very concerned about the environmental pollution which is going to be caused by the burning of wood chips by sawmills in and around the state. We must face the fact that no matter how economic we are in processing logs, there is bound to be by-products, which will need to be destroyed.

As we have highlighted in our web site at Sungai Petani Bersih , these sawmills have been polluting our residential areas for years on end and the authorities do not seem to exert any control over them. Illegal burning of wood chips mostly at night, have taken their toll on the health of many residents here and around Bakar Arang Industrial Estate. We fear that with the increase in logging activities in the Ulu Muda area, more of this illegal burning will occur, as more wood will be processed and the profits used to fill the pockets of timber tycoons and their counterparts.

A few days ago, the Kedah government revealed its intention to be a supplier of clean water to neighbouring states such as Penang, Perlis and Perak. We seriously doubt their ability to do so now, if logging is to be allowed in water catchment areas in the state. This absurd idea is another example of misguided policies made by the present state government, which needs to be addressed in the next general election.

Once again, we would like to congratulate Pang for standing up for his beliefs and we support him whole-heartedly in his fight to conserve our natural surroundings.