DURING these two months of the movement-control order (MCO), I believe there are those among us who miss the “outdoor atmosphere” and other freedoms we enjoyed before the Covid-19 crisis.

In the beginning, everyone was eager for the MCO to end so that they could return to normal life. But weeks of restrictions and social distancing have changed how we work, play and learn. Even under the more flexible conditional MCO (CMCO), we still can’t simply go back to our lifestyle pre-pandemic.

Normal life has been upended in previously unimaginable ways. And one unexpected result is that our lovely planet has benefited.

An immediate, positive environmental impact of the MCO was the decrease in carbon emissions from commuters and industries. The news reported cleaner air and overall less pollution in countries that implemented virus lockdowns and movement curbs, including Malaysia.

In the first month of the MCO, a decrease in the Klang Valley’s air pollution was reported. And, readings from 65 air-quality monitoring stations nationwide showed that the air pollutant index dipped by 14% to record a “clean index”. Also, eight of 29 water monitoring stations registered much-improved water quality.

Lofty goals?

Some may ask, is it too early to cheer despite the “better environment” achieved during the MCO period? Although there have been “positive signs”, how about the ongoing climate crisis once the pandemic is over? Lest we forget, we still have unsettled development projects that will hugely impact the environment, as well as ongoing industry pollution issues that are awaiting environmentally friendly solutions.

Furthermore, Malaysia needs to fulfil its commitments to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and the Paris Agreement of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, aimed at strengthening the global response to climate change threats in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication.

Prior to the MCO, however, the Selangor government proposed degazetting the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR) for a mixed-development project. It was reported that the proposal would see the forest reserve shrinking from its current 958ha to a mere 28ha – a total loss of 97% of the KLNFR area.

Once this plan is approved, a wide range of flora and fauna species will be gone, destroying one of the state’s natural terrestrial carbon stores. It will also result in the eviction of Orang Asli from as many as 2,000 villages in the area.

Projects continue

It is not the first time Selangor has proposed to degazette forest reserves for development projects. Previously, the state government mooted that 106.65ha of the Ampang Forest Reserve be degazetted, Sg Puteh North and South Forest Reserve (30ha), as well as Bukit Cherakah Forest Reserve (3.4ha) to make way for highway construction.

The state government, justifying its latest plan, argued that 40% of KLNFR has become degraded due to fires and other damage, and degazetting it would help prevent future forest blazes. The pretext used is “human well-being” development.

Although a public hearing is compulsory before a forest reserve can be degazetted, as per the Public Inquiry (Selangor) Rules 2014 and National Forestry Act (Adoption) Enactment 1985, this only delays the move instead of stopping it. Will KLNFR end up just like some other forest reserves in Selangor? It’s an issue we need to monitor closely even when the MCO is over.

The continuous degazettement of forest reserves in the peninsula reminds me of the controversial “replanned” Kaiduan dam project in Sabah, which may continue under the new “Papar dam” name. Last year, state Infrastructure Development Minister Peter Anthony announced that the state government would build a new dam, and details on the construction plan and location had been gazetted. What shocked Sabahans was that the new endeavour was strikingly similar to the suspended Kaiduan project, which they had fervently campaigned against.

The Kaiduan dam would have been located near Kg Papar, where Sg Babagon and Sg Papar meet. It would see about 350 sq km of native land, which is home to nine villages (Terian, Babagon Laut, Timpayasa, Tiku, Buayan, Pongobonon, Kalanggan, Timpangoh and Longkogungan), being turned into water catchment areas. Besides houses, this area also has a government primary school, community preschools, churches, graveyards, padi fields, and fruit and vegetable farms. In 2009, the local community formed the Action Committee Against Kaiduan Dam to oppose the project.

With pressure from civil society and the looming 2018 general election, the then Barisan Nasional state government suspended the project to appease locals. However, the current Parti Warisan Sabah administration revived a plan for more dam projects, going back on its promise prior to the polls.

The proposed new dam’s location is pretty much the same as the Kaiduan project, and so would be its impact. The only thing different is the name – and the U-turn by politicians.

Keep fighting

As mentioned earlier, one positive side effect of the pandemic is that the environment has benefited. The crisis has shown us that clear skies and less pollution can be achieved if we take concrete action to reduce our carbon footprint and redesign industries’ operations.

To conclude, we’ve proven that we can work better in a more eco-friendly way. This serves as a good reminder and example to the authorities that we can meet our goals for a more sustainable environment.

Perhaps, the first action state authorities can take is to reassess the plans to degazette the forest reserve in Selangor and build another dam in Sabah. – May 18, 2020.

* Esther Sinirisan Chong is a member of Agora Society. She was born and raised in the Land Below the Wind. Her research interest lies in education and government policies, and the history and heritage of East Malaysia.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.