KUALA LUMPUR – Kota Anggerik rep Mohd Najwan Halimi is the only one of Selangor’s 56 assemblymen and 22 MPs who has signed a petition to oppose the plan to degazette the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR) to make way for a mixed-development project.
This does not mean the others are for it, as assemblymen, including Michelle Ng (DAP-Subang Jaya), Rajiv Rishakaran (DAP-Bukit Gasing) and Elizabeth Wong (PKR-Bukit Lanjan), vehemently voiced their opposition to the plan at a public hearing last month, as well as at the state assembly.
Najwan of PKR made his stand known in an online scoreboard set up by the Coalition to Defend KLNFR, which brings together civil groups and Orang Asli activists fighting to save the forest reserve.
This was revealed by Greenpeace Malaysia’s Nur Sakeenah Omar at a press conference via Zoom yesterday.
“We hope that the people will pick up on this issue and help us pressure Selangor assemblymen to pledge their support against the degazettement of KLNFR,” she said.
The coalition will send potted plants to state elected representatives to remind them of their duties and responsibilities to the people.
“Another way for the public to help us is by mailing objection letters to the Selangor mentri besar,” said Suresh Kumar Balasubramaniam of Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram).
“If many letters are sent, he will be compelled to take action.”
The degazettement of all 971ha of KLNFR was first mooted last year, but a public hearing was conducted only last month, recording great opposition from locals.
The authorities have said the forest reserve needs to be degazetted in view of the growing population in Selangor, and economic spillover from nearby developments in Putrajaya and Cyberjaya.
However, Meenakshi Raman of Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) begs to differ.
“We cannot have this narrative that economic gains trump everything else. I think the Covid-19 pandemic has shown us how hard nature can hit us back.
“Malaysia has ratified the Paris Agreement, and so, we have the obligation to reduce carbon emissions.”
Located close to Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the Orang Asli settlements near KLNFR are flanked by the Gamuda Cove, Bandar Saujana Putra and Bandar Rimbayu developments, among others.
The Temuan tribe, whose Kg Busut Baru is adjacent to KLNFR, one of the few remaining peat swamp forests in Selangor, has been vocal about opposing the degazettement.
“We were told that we have no rights to the forest because we have no title to the land,” said Orang Asli activist Shaq Koyok.
“Some of us were also told that if we want to save the forest, we will have to give up our village.”
The civil groups in the Coalition to Defend KLNFR are Global Environment Centre, Suaram, Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam, Five Arts Centre, Persatuan Tindakan Alam Sekitar Kuala Langat, Empower Malaysia, Parti Sosialis Malaysia, Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam, SAM, Greenpeace and Klima Action Malaysia. – The Vibes, October 30, 2020
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