Halt all deforestation approvals in Selangor, state MCA youth says

Selangor MCA Youth today urged the state government to cease all development projects in its forest reserves, saying such activities would cause the Klang Valley to lose more of what's left of its green lungs and negatively impact the flora and fauna.

This includes the latest project in Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve, where 27 new quarries are reportedly going to be opened by several developers, including three which are linked to the Selangor state government.

In a statement, Selangor MCA Youth chief Chan Wun Hoong questioned the need for Selangor to venture into such business given its status as the richest state in Malaysia.

"With a reputation as the richest state in Malaysia, are the Selangor state’s coffers so famished of funds till the menteri besar has to turn developer too, and in his own state?

“The Pakatan Harapan-led Selangor state government owes an explanation to the public as to how it approved itself for the quarry development plan.

"And why is the administration turning a deaf ear to public opinion, who have successively voted in Harapan on their environment conservation premise?

"Have they no compassion at all for the displacement of the Orang Asli - when tractors, bulldozers and other heavy machinery blazes through their homes and trees?” he asked.

Chan pointed out the state government's action of de-gazetting the Kuala Langat and Bukit Cerakah Forest Reserves had also caused a public outcry.

He added deforestation would also risk worse flooding in the state, which may cause a repeat of the disaster in Klang last year.

"More deforestation means more soil erosion. The residential and commercial areas are now susceptible to more floods.

“Who wants another experience of the devastating floods which deluged and wreaked havoc in Taman Sri Muda and Klang in December last year?” Chan asked.

Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that the Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve lands are being sold for RM150,000 per acre on the EdgeProp website.

In total, 40,468 hectares of forest reserves are being sold on the website for quarry purposes. A map produced by the Selangor Forestry Department is attached to the sale listing, showing that 27 plots of Bukit Lagong will be developed as quarries.

An investigation by Malaysiakini also revealed that three developers involved are linked to the Selangor state government.

Speak up, Anwar!

Meanwhile, PKR veterans group Otai Reformis 1998 urged party president Anwar Ibrahim to take drastic measures to stop the destruction of forests in Selangor.

In a statement, its secretary Abdul Razak Ismail said the group believed the Selangor state government is getting "out of control" and was shirking its responsibility in protecting the forest reserves.

He also lambasted Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari for allowing projects which had been approved by the previous BN-led state government to continue, in order to avoid paying compensation to companies, saying that it was akin to putting companies before the rakyat.

"We are also puzzled why not a single PKR top leader, including Anwar and Rafizi Ramli are speaking up about these 'pillaging' of Bukit Cerakah and Bukit Lagong forest reserves," said Razak.

He said PKR and other Harapan component parties must be brave to take action and have the political will to stop the deforestation activities because the people are watching them and judging if the coalition has what it takes to protect the environment.

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