Gerakan: Log forest reserve, lose next polls

PAS will lose Kedah in the next elections if they decide to log the Ulu Muda forest reserve, said Gerakan vice-president Dr S Vijayaratnam.

In his statement, Vijayaratnam described Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak’s plan to log the forest reserve as "preposterous".

“In fact, it will be good for the Barisan Nasional if he chops down one million trees, as it will boost our chances to recapture the state. When water supply is compromised due to this rash move, and the people suffer, they will know whom to vote for,” he said.

The Ulu Muda forest reserve is a gazetted water catchment area that supplies water for irrigation, domestic and industrial use to three northern states.

Environmentalists said that logging the forest reserve will come at the price of drying up water supply to about five million inhabitants.

The forest reserve - which is the last remaining tract of forests in the state - is a crucial water catchment area for the Pedu, Muda and Ahning dams which supply drinking water to Kedah, Perlis and Penang.

Last week, Azizan said the federal government had promised in 2003 to give the state RM100 million annually in compensation for not clearing the forest reserve but no money was forthcoming.

The politician claimed that the logging would provide RM16 billion in income to the state government and told his critics not to be too obsessed with caring for the environment.

In remarks that have outraged many environmentalists, Azizan said he wanted to make money from timber, which is "a gift from God".

Various parties have criticised his decision including Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng who fears this move would deplete Penang’s water supply.

Meanwhile, some 63,000 padi farmers protested against Azizan's plan while NGOs such as Penang-based Sahabat Alam Malaysia and the Kedah branch of the Malaysian Nature Society have voiced their objections.

Koh supports Penang gov't but...

Dr Koh Tsu Koon revealed that when he was chief minister, he had also objected to the then Umno-led government in Kedah to log the forest reserve in 2002 and 2003.

"At that time, besides making open objection through the media, I approached the then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the then Minister of Primary Industry, Dr Lim Keng Yaik.

"I impressed upon them that it was absolutely crucial to preserve the forest reserve as the water catchment area. I emphasised that this water catchment area is just as important for Kedah as it is for Penang, not only for this generation, but for future generations."

Koh added that the Kedah government argued that it was not fair to deprive the state of revenue from logging in order to supply water to Penang.

"I disagreed with that argument because the water volume for Kedah's rice fields as the Rice Bowl of Malaysia and for Kedah's industrial and domestic use far exceeds that for Penang."

The federal cabinet subsequently directed the Kedah state government to abandon the logging proposal.

"Lim Guan Eng as the present chief minister should use all means to convince his PAS colleague and counterpart in Kedah," urged Koh.

While Koh said he supports the present Penang government's position on the issue, there is a hint of sarcasm when he told Lim to seek help from Pakatan de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Lim's squirming in his seat

However, party colleague Vijayaratnam was more direct in attacking Lim. He spotlighted the contradictions among Pakatan state leaders.

“It is also amusing to note that Lim is squirming in his seat over the issue. Not only will ravaging trees in Kedah jeopardise water supply to Penang, it will expose the foolhardiness of his Pakatan partner.

“But then again, Azizan now seems to be distancing himself from Pakatan, questioning the understanding reached by their leaders for common policy,” he said.

Meanwhile, Klang MP and anti-water privatisation activist Charles Santiago slammed the logging project and hoped that Azizan would reconsider his decision.

He listed several suggestions as to how the state government should broach the issue. This includes:

• Organise a roundtable discussion with forest authorities, environment department, water authorities, NGOs and paddy farmers.

• Employ experts to research how the logging will affect the water catchment, the surrounding dams, climate change and plantation activities.

• Conduct an Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) to understand why the project was shelved by the previous government and to reveal the finding to the public.

• Promote green economy by introducing eco-tourism, develop padi plantations and explore research and development in this area.

Former health minister Dr Chua Soi Lek has also tell the state government to get proper professional advice from the Malaysia Nature Society and World Wildlife Fund.

He wrote in his blog that the two NGOs used to sit in his development of forest area committee in Johor and he found their advice invaluable.

Chua pointed out that the Selangor state government should be communicating with their Kedah counterparts on environmental matters.

“I’ve read a lot about the Pakatan Selangor state government criticising the previous state government for allowing development on hillside slopes in Selangor.

“Maybe they are in communication (Selangor and Kedah) that I’m not aware off or their advice has fallen on deaf ears,” he said.