KUALA LUMPUR – Khairil Nizam Khirudin (Jerantut-PN) has requested Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to follow through with his past calls against logging when he was the opposition leader.
During his Budget 2023 debate on sustainability towards Malaysia being carbon-free, Khairil brought up a statement made by Anwar in 2022 on the need for a moratorium to stop all logging activities, including those that have been approved.
“I hope the ministry involved could get this statement from our prime minister and table it in the winding-up speech,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
“This moratorium was a wish, a political will, that (Anwar) took when he was the opposition leader,” he added.
Khairil also cited Anwar urging for future logging activities, regardless of rank and political influence, to not be approved.
He noted that Anwar, who is PKR president and Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman, had insisted that all logging licences approved within a five-year period be disclosed.
When asked by Mohd Sany Hamzan (Hulu Langat-PH) to confirm that licensing of logging activities is the onus of state governments, Khairil affirmed but clarified that moratoriums are federal government-level policies that could help states reduce the prevalence of logging.
Khairil suggested that PH could start the moratorium at its stronghold states before going nationwide, should it be followed through.
Following the impact of logging activities on the environment, Anwar previously urged the federal government to issue a moratorium on all logging activities in Malaysia, including those that have been approved.
He opined that the moratorium should be in effect until safe logging locations can be identified.
Anwar added that logging companies should pay compensation to flood victims who were affected due to uncontrolled forest clearing
He also said that no new license should be given for logging – regardless of whoever is behind the project. – The Vibes, March 2, 2023
