KLANG: The Selangor state government will initiate the reversal of part of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR), says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari

       He said the decision was made by the Selangor executive council which met on Wednesday (Sept 8).

       However, he added that a small parcel of the KLNFR land will remain under degazettement.

       Amiruddin added that as such land at the location will also not be given to Gabungan Indah Sdn Bhd for mixed development as initially planned.

       He however said that a small parcel of the KLNFR land will remain under degazettement.

       "Some 104 acres (42 ha) from the total 1,326 acres (534 ha) will remain under degazettement to be given to the Kampung Orang Asli Busut Baru which has been pending since 2006.

       "They (the villagers) were moved from their original settlement in 1994 for the construction of KLIA," said Amirudin

       He added the state government will also consider leaving another small parcel of the land under degazettement for consideration for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.

       Amirudin said the current status of the proposed 1,436 acres (581 ha) replacement that was gazetted as forest reserve in Sungai Panjang, Ampang Pechah and Bukit Broga will be retained (as permanent forest reserve).

       "The state government would like to stress that the degazettement followed all legal procedures," said Amirudin.

       He added as a government that emphasised on accountability, the state will write to its Speaker for a Selangor Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) hearing to be held to answer issues that may arise with regards to the degazettement.

       The proposed degazettement had resulted in severe criticism being levelled against Amirudin and the state government.

       Elected representatives from both the government and Opposition divides were also loud in their criticism of the degazettement.