PUTRAJAYA has agreed to impose a 15-year moratorium on approvals for new forest plantations in permanent forest reserves in the peninsula, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said. 

He said the decision to preserve more green lungs was made at the 79th National Land Council meeting that was attended by federal ministers, chief ministers and menteris besar. 

Ismail said there are currently 127,050.25ha of forest plantation development zones that have not been approved to any company. 

“Therefore, before the moratorium is imposed on the area, the state government wishing to continue the development of forest plantations must conduct detailed consultations with the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry.  

“This is to ensure that the companies that are to be appointed, comply with any conditions set out in the concession agreement and other legislations,” he said in a statement. 

The National Land Council meeting was held in accordance with a national policy to develop and control land use for the purpose of mining, agriculture, forestry or any other purpose and to administer any law thereon. 

Ismail said the meeting also agreed for amendments to sections 11 and 12 of the National Forestry Act 1984 be tabled during the first parliamentary meeting next year, where its application will depend on states amending relevant local laws.  

He said the meeting had also decided that all state governments must enact legislation to act against illegal exploration of permanent forest reserves by June 1 next year. – December 3, 2021.