SELANGOR voters might vote against Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the next elections following the state’s decision to degazette part of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR) for mixed commercial development, Charles Santiago said today.

However, the Klang MP said it was not too late for the PH-run state to reverse its decision.

“Of course, this is a major source of contention. I would like to believe that PH is open to different ideas and alternative views, including reversing decisions that have been made,” he said in a joint online press conference held with former National Water Service Commission (Span) commissioners.

He also said that he would try to meet Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari over the matter.

He added that he would also be paying a visit to Kuala Langat to discuss with the Orang Asli (OA) communities living near the forest.

“Some have suggested looking at the legality, and maybe there should be a legal challenge.

“We have not made a decision but it is something that has been raised by the ex-commissioners (Span),” he said.

Besides that, he urged the state government to make available the environment impact assessment, feasibility study, cost-benefit analysis and the human rights impact assessment on the livelihoods and the rights of the OA living there.

Santiago said that development in the forest would also disrupt the forest’s function in water storage, ground and surface water supply and flood mitigation.

The forest stores more than 15 billion litres of water in its peat soil and supplements groundwater and surface water flow in adjacent areas.

“Selangor is already facing many challenges with regards to its water resources with very limited water supply reserve margin, frequent disruptions due to pollution incidents and degradation of water sources,” he said.

A part of the forest (536.7ha) has recently been allocated to Gabungan Indah Sdn Bhd, a newly-formed company incorporated on December 2 last year with a RM1 paid-up capital.

The degazettement was done in May without any publicity and only came to light during the Selangor assembly session on Monday.

The Selangor MB had since come under fire and urged to give a detailed explanation on the matter, including by his party president Anwar Ibrahim and civil society groups. – September 1, 2021.