SHAH ALAM: Several Selangor MCA divisions have called on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate the degazettement of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR).
They lodged a report at the state MACC office here on Monday (Sept 6), saying an investigation was needed to clear up any doubts among the public on the issue.
Kuala Langat division chairman Datuk Ei Kim Hock said the decision to degazette the forest was made in haste, raising questions if there was an abuse of proper process.
“MCA is not the only party to have raised objections. Many NGOs and members of the public have also raised their concerns,” he said.
Ei was accompanied by the party's division heads from Kuala Langat, Petaling Jaya, Ampang, Tanjung Karang, Sungai Buloh and Sabak Bernam to make the report.
Petaling Jaya division secretary Chew Hian Tat said the Orang Asli of the Temuan tribes depended on the forest for food and traditional medicine.
“The decision to degazette the forest was made amid a Covid-19 pandemic when they are more reliant than ever on the forest for their livelihood,” he said.
Petaling Jaya Youth chief Lim Han Boon said it would send a memorandum to all state assemblymen to cancel the degazettement.
"We also urge the Mentri Besar (Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari) to give a clear decision to the Selangor people," he said.
On Aug 30, state tourism, environment, green technology and Orang Asli affairs committee chairman Hee Loy Sian told the state assembly that the area of KLNFR approved for degazettement had been reduced by about 45% in May.
He said only 536ha of the originally earmarked 991ha of forest would be degazetted, after taking into account objections from various parties.
It was reported that Hee said three other areas were slated to replace the degazetted area, namely Sungai Panjang, Broga and Ampang Pecah.
Amirudin, who is also Selangor PKR chairman, said they would discuss the issue at Wednesday’s (Sept 8) state executive council meeting.