The headline on the destruction of the forest reserve at Bukit Beruang in Malacca shows that Barisan Nasional leaders do not seem to heed the call by our prime minister to preserve the remaining green areas in this country from wanton destruction.
Malacca is a small state with a unique past which has attracted a lot of tourists to visit the state; it does not need new buildings or structures to attract others to visit. The chief minister there should learn a lesson of the past, when the state had the misfortune of having a long dry spell.
Surely he doesn’t want the state to suffer the same fate if its eco-balance is destroyed? As a former resident of Malacca in the late 70s, I really miss the carefree days of yesteryears, where one could smell the sea breeze at Bandar Hilir while watching football being played at the ‘padang’ in the evening
The ‘padang’ is a pale shadow of it old self due to excessive development. Land reclamation has robbed the area of its wonderful scenery of the sea. In place now is a view of shopping complexes, new shophouses and the horrendous traffic that goes with them.
The Malacca state government should not have de-gazetted forest areas for loggers who will have a field day destroying nature in the name of development.
Doesn’t the chief minister have to inform the state assembly of such development plans? Aren’t politicians who represent the public supposed to debate such serious issues? Was an open tender called for controlled logging or was the project ‘quietly given out’?
Malacca is already known for its extraordinary number of Datuks not to mention a host of other controversies. Surely the chief minister doesn’t need another one - complete disregard for its own flora and fauna.
I suppose this controversy will die down soon, just like the Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam fiasco. Malaysians are known to have short memories and politicians know they are immune from the normal laws that govern the lesser mortals in this country.
No. 48, Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar Utama 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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