Something is rotten at Kledang Saiong Forest Reserve
Something is rotten at Kledang Saiong Forest Reserve
The continuing encroachment on state forest reserves
State forest reserves on the peninsula have long been a playground for abuse and profiteering, usually outside the public eye. Up in Wang Kelang State Forest in Perlis, land has long been logged out for illegal dusuns (gardens), and the infamous human trafficking death camps. The natural habitat of wild elephants around Grik in Perak were logged out. The Selangor State government is trying to degazette Bukit Cherakah as a forest reserve, so crony companies can make bonanza profits.
The Kledong Saiong Forest Reserve case shows this infamous tradition continues in Perak, with the state government awarding logging and plantation concessions to corporations, on land classified as Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA).
An NGO, Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is actively opposing a state government plan to give a concession to corporations to go into the state forest reserve land, log 4,280 Ha and then plant fast growing plantation crops, in place of the natural forest.
This activity in an environmentally sensitive area is the natural habitat to a number of endangered species. Two critically endangered species, the Helmeted Hornbill and the Asian Brown Tortoise are already listed on the IUCN Red List of endangered species. Other endangered species include the Asian Tapir, Siamang, Blue Winged Leafbird, Malayan Sun Bear, Clouded Leopard, and the Leopard Cat live within the area.
Any disturbing of the natural habitat may promote dangerous human-wildlife contact, especially with an Orang Asli Kampong located only 200 metres from the proposed logging site. Kampong Orang Asli Bukit Chermin with a population of 200 people, depends upon the area to collect herbs, Tongkat Ali, rattan, ulam vegetables, from the area which provide an estimated RM 1.7 million income per annum to the Orang Asli. Kledang Salong is the Orang Aslis’ native hunting and gathering grounds.
Some 987,000 Ha were gazetted as permanent forest reserve under the National Forestry Act 1984. The 79th National Land Council Meeting on December 2, 2021, imposed a 15 year moratorium of approvals for any new plantations in permanent forest reserves.
Four companies have been given pieces of land within the Kledang Saiong Forest Reserve. These four companies all share the same registered address, and appear to be owned by the same group of shareholders.
In the absence of any transparent concession system, the Perak State Government should explain why these companies with the same shareholders, were given permission far beyond the allowable low impact sustainable logging, usually allowed under ESA Rank 2. The Perak State government should also explain why the interests of the Orang Asli living in the Kledong Saiong Forest Reserve have not been considered.
The reputation of the Perak State government is very quickly turning into that of being an environmental vandal, where the state is also allowing the total destruction of the Dhamma Sakyamuni Caves Monastery.
In Perak, its profits before the environment every time.
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The alleged land clearing activity involving a 200-hectare parcel of land at the Kledang Saiong Forest Reserve near Salak Utara, Kuala Kangsar is not true.
The land-clearing activity did not happen in the area within the forest reserve.
The state Forestry Department ordered the Kuala Kangsar district forestry department to conduct a check on the said area.
Upon inspection, the authorities got to know that the land clearing works were done outside the forest reserve on a privately owned land.
The land clearing activity happened about 1.5 kilometres away from the forest reserve area.
The land appeared to be cleared for farming purposes.
The villagers near Salak Utara and environmentalists were shocked to discover the suspicious land clearing activity, with no signboard at the site.
On the impact of the land clearing activity on locals and the environment, mb says said he would instruct the state Environment Department to conduct a thorough check.
Chinese are not voting PH this time or next time. The last bi election saw a low turnout because Chinese are not voting PH. PMX is only interested in Islam Madani. He has no interest or lost interest in his Reformasi promises. Chinese will take their support elsewhere .