KUANTAN: There should be additions to the permanent forest reserve areas in Pahang every year as a conservation effort, says the Regent of Pahang.

       Tengku Mahkota Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah said he was proud that over 7,000ha had been added to the forest reserve areas in the state this year, totalling at least 1.6 million hectares.

       “This figure at once crowns Pahang as the state with the largest forest reserve in Peninsular Malaysia.

       “I decree that the state government add to the permanent reserve areas from time to time every year,” he said in his address at the opening of the first meeting of the fifth session of the 14th Pahang state assembly yesterday.

       Tengku Hassanal said as before, he called on all agencies and departments in the state to improve their understanding and implementation of environment, social and governance policies.

       “Environmental treasures are for future generations,” he said.

       The setting up of the Pahang Biodiversity Council and the Pahang State Parks Corporation on Jan 1, he added, was also timely to conserve and maintain continuous use of biological resources, control and manage as well as develop the environment, resources and biodiversity of state parks.

       “Now, I am moving forward with a conservation effort of the environment, and the flora and fauna in our beloved state. This includes initiatives to conserve the Malayan Tiger which is on the brink of extinction.

       “Without the appropriate attention, it is not impossible that our children and grandchildren can only see the Malayan Tiger on the national coat of arms or the cover of our passport,” said Tengku Hassanal.

       He said this effort would not bear fruit if there is no support and implementation strategy from the state machinery.

       “I call on the state assemblymen, the state government, government agencies, the private sector, even associations and non-governmental groups to be with me in making this initiative a success.

       “In accordance with that, I call for good corporate governance to be observed in carrying out our trust to continue in the conservation of the environment, flora, fauna, Earth and our beloved Pahang,” said Tengku Hassanal.