Nik Nazmi says T'ganu forest conversion under state powers

Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad today said issues regarding forest reserves fall under the purview of state governments.

He said this in response to questions about a Terengganu royalty-linked project to develop an oil palm plantation in parts of the Belara forest reserve, located in the Kuala Nerus district.

Nik Nazmi said his ministry operates at the national level, but specific decisions are undertaken by state governments where forests are situated, he told a press conference at the BWI Asia Pacific Regional Seminar on Climate Justice in Kuala Lumpur.

“But we will obviously monitor it closely and continue to communicate with the state government about the implications of whatever decision they take.

“If it involves any forest reserves, including our commitment to maintain Malaysian sustainable palm oil standards and sustainable forest management,” he said.

Last week, Malaysiakini reported on a Terengganu royalty-linked project to develop an oil palm plantation in the forests of the Kuala Nerus district in the state.

Impact on water supply

In the environmental impact assessment (EIA), concerns were raised about potential flooding and effects on water supply during droughts.

The company that submitted the EIA, Pure Green Development Sdn Bhd, belongs to Tengku Baderul Zaman, who is the brother of Terengganu ruler Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.

During the press conference, Nik Nazmi revealed that the Malaysian delegation to this year’s Climate Change Conference (COP) will be focusing on climate finance.

“So we will focus on ensuring that the commitments made by developed countries over the years receive attention because a lot have yet to be implemented.

“But at the same time we want to see how we can mobilise various government and private financial resources to achieve our objective of reaching net zero,” he said.

Malaysia will be joining hands with other Southeast Asian countries to leverage the larger regional voice for the country’s benefit, he added.

Offering solutions

As for next year’s COP, which will be held in Brazil, Nik Nazmi said that Malaysia is well positioned to offer solutions to the world on forests.

This will be discussed further in the Asean summit in 2025, which Malaysia will chair, he added.

“I think not enough attention has been given to Malaysia being one of the 17 most mega biodiverse countries in the world.

“This means something as we can offer solutions to the world including our forests concerning climate solutions so those are things that we will focus on at the Asean 2025,” he said.

He also commented on the National Climate Change Bill, saying it is now entering its second phase.

“Its focus is to translate commitments we have made at the international level such as during the COP in Paris in 2015 and other international commitments into policies and implementation,” he said.

The first phase included talks with state governments and the second phase will allow for feedback from the public regarding the bill, he added.

The bill was planned to be presented early this year but has been pushed back for several years, with the document back on the drawing board.

RimbaWatch calls for halt to T'ganu oil palm project

LETTER | There's gold in oil palm biomass

Court orders companies to leave Orang Asli land, stop dam project

Nenggiri Orang Asli resettlement project to be completed by 2026

Orang Asli activist rues lack of consultation in Oraco’s takeover