KLANG – The Orang Asli community is objecting the Selangor government’s plan to degazette some 971ha of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve for development.
About 100 of them this morning turned up at a town hall session in Pulau Carey to voice their concerns to the state. Previously, the Selangor Forestry Department received more than 44,000 written objections over the forest degazettement.
Earlier, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said two companies had submitted proposals to develop the forest. The were Titian Jutaria Sdn Bhd and Menteri Besar Incorporated.
The contentious development would also make way for the East Coast Railway Link (ECRL), covering 9.6ha, he had said.
This proposal affects the Orang Asli communities living there as the forest is a source of livelihood for them, while preserving their culture and heritage.
Those who attended town hall session this morning said they were not given proper notice of the event.
“Our kampung only received the letter regarding the town hall yesterday, and the letter was addressed to a very old resident in our village,” Rosnah Anak Senin, an Orang Asli from Kg Busut Baru, told The Vibes.
“Normally, these notices are addressed to the village, not an individual.”
The Orang Asli also said the venue Amverton Resort is far and it was difficult for them to make travelling arrangements, especially at a short notice.
According to the notice from the Selangor Forestry Department, the proposal to remove the land status of the forest reserve involves an area nearly the size of 2,000 football fields.
The session today was chaired by Selangor Environment, Green Technology, Science, Technology and Innovation, and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman and Kajang MP Hee Loy Sian.
He said there had been some miscommunication among the authorities. He said he wants to hear everyone’s objection.
He added that the resort on Pulau Carey had been chosen for its compliance with Covid-19 SOPs.
On the short notice, he said: “We sent the notice 14 days ago, but it is possible that it may have reached people a little later.” – The Vibes, September 29, 2020
