KUALA LUMPUR – The decision to degazette the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR) by the Selangor government may have resulted in a significant dent in Pakatan Harapan’s reputation.
Speaking to The Vibes, DAP’s Sg Pelek assemblyman Ronnie Liu said the decision, which was made despite vast opposition by numerous parties, will put the coalition’s reputation at stake.
He added that the excuses given by the state government for the degazettement do not hold water.
“I disagree with the degazettement and I don’t see a reason for it.
“I’m not convinced of the need to degazette the forest for future development,” Liu said recently.
Liu, who is also a party central executive committee member, said the KLNFR is far from suitable for development, and that it is best untouched to protect the environment.
When asked what DAP’s official stance on the matter is, Liu said the party has yet to be consulted on the issue.
The decision, which was made abruptly and somewhat secretly, will raise suspicions among the populace, Liu said.
“Why the hurry to degazette and why were assemblymen kept in the dark? The people are suspicious over the decision,” he added.
Liu also rubbished a statement issued by PKR on Wednesday stating that Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari had pledged to delay the degazettement.
“How do you delay something that has already been done? What can be done is to gazette the land again,” he said.
On Monday, state exco Hee Loy Sian had informed the Selangor assembly that more than 50% of the KLNFR has already been degazetted since May.
However, in view of the objections to the proposal, only 536ha from the 991ha forest were degazetted, he had said, adding that the affected areas will be compensated by the gazettement of land in three other areas. − The Vibes, September 3, 2021
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