[UPDATED] Does Gunung Inas durian farm have EIA approval?

KULIM – The company that developed the Musang King durian farm on Gunung Inas, Baling is believed to have been “given some leeway” or did not implement an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report.

According to Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, the EIA approval for any project on hills and mountains would be strict, with development projects curtailed at an altitude of 1,000ft (304.8m) above sea level.

“I think every project in a forest plantation needs to have an EIA. But how can the EIA of this durian project in Gunung Inas be passed?

“During my visit to the top of Gunung Inas recently, I found that there were no logs up there.

“This means that exploitation has taken place, and I think this has violated the conditions set,” he said when met by reporters after attending the foundation stone ceremony of Infineon Technologies (Kulim) Sdn Bhd today.

Earlier, the Consumers’ Association of Penang said in a statement that logging and land-clearing to plant Musang King durian trees in Gunung Inas are contributing factors to the severe floods and mudflows that have hit Baling.

The mud floods in Baling on Monday caused hundreds of residents to be evacuated to several relief centres with more than 80 houses affected.

The bodies of three missing family members, including a four-month pregnant woman, were found the next day after strong currents swept their house away when floods hit Kg Iboi, Kupang. 

Despite the allegations, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan denied the claims of logging activities in the Gunung Inas forest reserve.

Asked for the identity of the owner and operator of the Musang King durian plantation in Gunung Inas, Sanusi declined to reveal the information.

He explained that the project was developed by state government’s subsidiary Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI), together with a private developer which declined to be named.

“The developer was previously known as Alam Megah before the company was sold. Now we have to ask that (new) company (whether I can reveal its name).

“This is an old thing...I need to see. Otherwise, I will be sued later,” he said.

Asked whether the state government would set up an independent commission of inquiry to determine the real cause of the floods, Sanusi said he believed in the expertise of the agencies involved.

He said the state government would examine the reports prepared by the agencies involved before making any conclusion.

“We have asked for a report from them. I understand that many people are paying close attention to this tragedy,” he said.

“But we also need to understand, these agencies have their own procedures. This is not a political issue.” – The Vibes, July 7, 2022