National park Pulau Kukup de-gazetted to become crown land, says TMJ

Updated 7 years ago · Published on 5 Dec 2018 12:28PM · 6 Comments

Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim says the the world’s second largest uninhabited mangrove island is 'better protected' as crown land. – Facebook pic, December 5, 2018.

Pulau Kukup, the world’s second largest uninhabited mangrove island, has been de-gazetted from a fully-protected national park to become crown land, said Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.

In a tweet today, the prince said the island would be “better protected” after the change.

“In the past, several national parks were privatised but in Johor, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has a different vision.

“To better protect all national parks, Sultan Ibrahim decreed that all the national parks be changed to Sultanate land,” he wrote.

Tunku Ismail dismissed the concerns of environmentalists and civil society groups that the loss of its fully protected status  leave the park vulnerable to degradation .

“However, this does not change the status, policies, and usage of the park where it continues to remain a national park status,” he said, adding that in the United Kingdom, all parks belong to the crown.

There are six national parks in Johor: Endau-Rompin Peta, Endau-Rompin Selai, Tanjung Piai, Pulau Kukup, Gunung Ledang, and Sultan Iskandar Marine Park.

Earlier today, Lawyers for Liberty adviser N. Surendran asked why the stripping of national park status for Pulau Kukus was done “silently” and a public announcement made only after the gazette was leaked online.

He slammed the Johor government for approving the change and called on the prime minister to use federal powers to intervene and save the park.

Pulau Kukup, located off the coast of Pontian in south Johor, has been a national park since 1997.

The island is a Ramsar site, which are wetland sites accorded international importance under the United Nations’ Convention on Wetlands. – December 5, 2018.

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Comments

  • Sure or not. ??? Once under royalty can be sold without incoveniences and no interference rom federal. This is Malaysia land and not Johore Royal land.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Demi Bangsa Johor ke?

    Posted 7 years ago by Zainal - · Reply

  • Another Prince Mohammad B Salman in the making

    Posted 7 years ago by Leng Kapri As Saribasi · Reply

  • Another Prince Mohammad B Salman in the making

    Posted 7 years ago by Leng Kapri As Saribasi · Reply

  • Forest city 2

    Posted 7 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply

  • Johoreans truly appreciate and respect the Royal family in helping to maintain racial harmony and peace among the people. I believe Johoreans will still prefer the state to be ruled by the state government.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply