Perak MB Defends Forest Reserve Degazettement

GOPENG, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- The decision to de-gazette the Segari Melintang Permanent Forest Reserve (HSK) in Lumut for quarrying activities will not affect the safety and well-being of the people in the area, said Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

He explained that before the degazettement was adopted, consultation was undertaken with the Department of Minerals and Geosciences (JMG) and after the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA) was obatined before It was tabled at the State Executive Council Meeting for approval.

"Usually, the state government does not arbitrarily decide to de-gazette a forest reserve first. If there is no objection from any (related) party, then it will be approved.

"In the process of developing our country, we have no choice but to sacrifice some things but at the same time we assure the well-being, safety and prosperity of the people," he said.

He said this after inaugurating Terra Mineral Lab Sdn Bhd (TML) and the Centre of Excellence for Mineral Research at the Gopeng Industrial Estate here today.

On Sept 24, several environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) urged the state government to revise the gazette cancellation of HSK Segari Melintang, near here, covering a 500 hectare area for quarrying activities.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) Field Officer Meor Razak Meor Abdul Rahman said the cancellation of the gazette involving the HSK Segari Melintang involved several coastal hill forest compartments that still exist on the coast of Teluk Mengkudu.

He said that if the quarrying activity is approved, it will contradict the recommendation of the Local Investigation Committee, the Manjung District Local Draft Plan  2030, which was held in May 2016.

The committee agreed with objections in rejecting new applications and maintaining the existing forest area.

-- BERNAMA