Muda roasts Pahang govt over Tasik Chini 'betrayal'
The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) has slammed the Pahang government for allowing deforestation and mining activities at Tasik Chini in contradiction with its status as a permanent forest reserve.
Calling it a “betrayal” of their trust to safeguard nature, Muda’s climate change and sustainability bureau claimed these activities have led to soil erosion and deposition among other environmental issues.
“What does the gazetting of Tasik Chini as a permanent forest reserve and...
The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) has slammed the Pahang government for allowing deforestation and mining activities at Tasik Chini in contradiction with its status as a permanent forest reserve.
Calling it a “betrayal” of their trust to safeguard nature, Muda’s climate change and sustainability bureau claimed these activities have led to soil erosion and deposition among other environmental issues.
“What does the gazetting of Tasik Chini as a permanent forest reserve and Unesco biosphere reserve mean to the administration, (state) government, and authorities?
“It is obvious that the government and agencies who were entrusted with the responsibility to preserve and manage natural resources there have betrayed that trust and succumbed to their own desires,” they said in a statement yesterday.
The statement was jointly signed by bureau members Afiqah Zulkifli, Sheikh Syaqil, Muaz Mohd, Aisyah Farhanah Mohamed, Ahmad Zafrul Afiq Arifudin and Muhammad Nazri Othman.
Tasik Chini and its surrounding forest were gazetted as a permanent forest reserve in 2019, but it continues to be plagued by mining and logging activities.
Last week, Malaysiakini reported that the Pahang government had given approval to a royalty-linked company to carry out mining operations 3km away from the lake, prompting outrage from environmentalists.
Muda said the authorities have obviously failed to preserve and protect the lake, and called for a halt in deforestation and mining works at the lake.
They said the lake and its surrounding forests should also be entrusted to local residents who have long preserved its sustainability.
“Leave Tasik Chini to those who will appreciate it.
“Leave the limited natural resources to be preserved by the locals who are much more responsible, trusted, and have a sense of belonging,” the statement wrote.
Muda estimated that 50 percent of residents around Tasik Chini rely their income on the farming sector, followed by forest products, fishing, and handicrafts produced from natural elements.
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