KUALA LUMPUR – Three Selangor reps have reiterated their objection to the planned degazettement of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR) despite not signing an online petition by a coalition of green groups and Orang Asli activists.
The trio – DAP’s Michelle Ng (Subang Jaya) and Rajiv Risyakaran (Bukit Gasing), and PKR’s Elizabeth Wong (Bukit Lanjan) – told The Vibes that they have been protesting against the proposal even before the petition went up on the Greenpeace Malaysia website.
“My position is clear. I object to the degazettement,” said Risyakaran in a WhatsApp text message.
Wong explained why she did not sign the petition by the Coalition to Defend KLNFR.
“I can’t. My party won’t allow it. PKR decided some time ago that elected representatives are not allowed to sign petitions or promissory notes done by NGOs.
“But, my position on the matter is very clear. I do not agree with it. I don’t need to sign anything with any NGO to prove that I am against the forest’s degazettement.”
However, her party colleague Mohd Najwan Halimi, the rep for Kota Anggerik, has signed the petition.
Ng, meanwhile, said she will do the same.
“Immediately. On Monday, when I return to my office. It is already there on my desk. I have no problem signing it.”
She said Najwan had filed a motion on forest conservation for the state assembly sitting in March, but it could not be tabled due to the movement control order against Covid-19.
“Even prior to that, Lau Weng San (Banting), Lim Yi Wei (Kg Tunku) and I had met up with the Malaysian Nature Society to understand the situation better. My stand is very clear. I do not agree with the degazettement.”
The degazettement of KLNFR – all 971ha of it – for a mixed-development project was mooted last year, but a public hearing was done only two months ago, where locals voiced great opposition.
Only two Selangor elected representatives have signed the petition at the time of writing, namely Najwan and Lim. The only non-Selangor MP to have done the same is Segambut’s Hannah Yeoh.
The Coalition to Defend KLNFR comprises the Global Environment Centre, Suara Rakyat Malaysia, Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam, Five Arts Centre, Persatuan Tindakan Alam Sekitar Kuala Langat, Empower Malaysia, Parti Sosialis Malaysia, Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam, Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Klima Action Malaysia and Greenpeace. – The Vibes, November 1, 2020
