ECRL: Track crosses Kuala Langat forest but we want to avoid degazettement
The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project owner says that it is not involved in any effort to degazette the Kuala Langat (North) Forest Reserve.
Even as its proposed train tracks run through a portion of the protected forest, Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) says it wants to “avoid” the need for any degazettement.
“No, we did not make such an (degazettement) application,” it said when contacted by Malaysiakini by email....
The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project owner says that it is not involved in any effort to degazette the Kuala Langat (North) Forest Reserve.
Even as its proposed train tracks run through a portion of the protected forest, Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) says it wants to “avoid” the need for any degazettement.
“No, we did not make such an (degazettement) application,” it said when contacted by Malaysiakini by email.
On Feb 5, the Selangor Forestry Department published a notice that it plans to degazette the 930.93ha of the 958ha forest reserve for a “mixed development project”.
This constitutes 97.1 percent of the protected area.
Published in several newspapers, the notice made no mention of the ECRL project.
Members of the public have 30 days from the notice date to submit their feedback.
Yesterday, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari used the ECRL alignment as one of the reasons for degazetting the forest reserve.
Rather than a degazettement, MRL said it plans to apply for permission to allow it to use the portion of the protected forest.
“MRL’s preferred approach is to apply for "permit penggunaan” (user permit) from the (Selangor) Forestry Department for the cut through and avoid having that part of the forest reserve degazetted.
“This approach is also used for ECRL alignment in other states facing similar situations.
“We continue to liaise with the Forestry Department on ways to minimise any impact to the forest reserve,” it said.
Among those who have voiced their opposition to the degazettement plan are Kampung Orang Asli Busut Baru, Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and the Global Environment Centre (GEC).
Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar, who is the Kuala Langat MP, has also urged the Selangor government to reconsider the move.
Only 2 percent of forest needed - ECRL
MRL estimated that its proposed tracks will run through 21.4ha, or 2.2 percent, of the forest reserve.
“The rail alignment along this area will mainly be at grade (on the same level) and only a small stretch will be elevated. For at grade level, the corridor width is approximately 60m.
“Based on our calculations, the estimated area that may be involved is approximately 21.4ha,” said the Finance Ministry-owned company.
The entire ECRL alignment measures 640km.
The RM44 billion ECRL will comprise 14 passenger stations spanning five states - Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan.
Aimed at spurring economic growth in the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia, it is targeted for completion by the end of 2026.
Construction is split into three sections - Section A (Kota Bahru-Dungun), Section B (Dungun-Temerloh) and Section C (Temerloh-Port Klang).
Work for the former two have begun while Section C is now up for public inspection until April 14.
In this section is the portion of the track passing through the Kuala Langat (North) Forest Reserve.
The original ECRL alignment, launched back in 2017 by former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, would have travelled through Gombak in north-eastern Selangor and Serendah before reaching the Port Klang terminal.
When it came into power, Pakatan Harapan halted the project before realigning it.
It also renegotiated the government’s deal with Beijing-owned contractors China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and slashed the price by RM21.5 billion.
During Najib’s 1MDB trial, a former aide told the court that the ECRL was among the projects used by his administration to “bailout” 1MDB.
PART 1
Orang Asli oppose ECRL cutting through Kuala Langat Forest Reserve, village grounds
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S’gor MB claims Kuala Langat forest has ‘degraded’, will turn other forests into reserves
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