It took a Utusan Malaysia report and a sharp response from Deputy Premier Najib Abdul Razak in Kedah to push certain politicians, policymakers, civil servants and others to come up with statements on a 800ha park in Shah Alam - the world's biggest agro-forest park - which is fast becoming an 'island' with surrounding areas being developed for housing.

Housing developers around the Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam agriculture park, also known as Section U10, have been ordered to stop work to protect the environment. It was reported that 1,200ha at the northern border of the park was being cleared to develop Section U10.

The daily also claimed that the land had been divided among 35 developers. Now, who are these developers? Perhaps, Utusan Malaysia can do all Malaysians a favour by publishing their names and those behind them in full. I am sure it would be interesting reading.

I am advised that most of these developers were building luxury bungalows for sale costing about RM1.5mil which is an irony of sorts.

This in itself should raise a controversy in a state so often hit by controversies involving land matters be they an alienation of state land, the redevelopment of land or even approvals given for redevelopment.

Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohamed Khir Toyo had expressed his unhappiness with the way the area was being developed and ordered Selangor executive councillor Mohd Mokhtar Ahmad Dahalan to speak on the issue.

But where were the two of them before the news hit the press? It is sad but I am not in the least surprised - in fact, nothing surprises me anymore for we have indeed sunken to the lowest rungs of decency, good governance, accountability and transparency.

We are today a nation of 'political pretenders' and hypocrites - 'cakap tak serupa bikin'.

I wonder if there is still something called 'nature friendly development' in Malaysia and whether 'truth' has become a dirty word?

The writer is president of the Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor (Cassa).