THE Coalition for the Protection of Selangor’s Forests wants the state government to reschedule a proposed public hearing on the de-gazettement of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR). 

In a statement, the coalition said all parties and those affected by the proposal need more time to prepare for the hearing.   

“Some members only received the invitation letters on September 23 and the public hearing is on September 29. 

“The coalition, the Orang Asli and all other parties who are affected need more time to prepare for it,” it said. 

The state’s proposal to de-gazette KLNFR was made on February 5 in an invitation to stakeholders in the Kuala Langat district to voice their objections.

The coalition collected 43,502 objections in 20 days and presented them to the Selangor government on March 4.

The coalition previously rejected the state’s reasoning that the area was degraded and “fire-prone”, saying the Orang Asli have rehabilitated the forest by planting new trees and undertaking fire patrols.

The public hearing is to be chaired by Environment, Green Technology, Science, Technology and Innovation and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Hee Loy Sian at Amverton Resort, Pulau Carey.  

Global Environment Centre director Faizal Parish said, while the meeting is an opportunity for the KLNFR stakeholders to voice their objections and present fundamental points and facts against the proposal, the invitation only gives a few days to prepare for the session.

“The Orang Asli communities have yet to receive the letter of invitation when they should have been alerted much earlier. 

“On top of the short notice, the venue is located outside of the sub-district Mukim Tanjung Dua Belas, which is about one hour away from KLNFR with very limited transportation options.”

He said this situation defeats the purpose of organising a public hearing and restrains the affected community, particularly the local Orang Asli Temuan communities, to attend the town hall process.

“Everyone from the Kuala Langat district and other interested people should have a say and right to state their opinion on the state’s proposal.” 

Treat Every Environment Special (TrEES) Leela Panikkar said the they have submitted a letter urging the SSFD to push back the date to allow them preparation time for the meeting.  

“We call upon the government to change the location to within the Tanjung Dua Belas sub-district, where KLNFR is located. 

“The current venue is outside of the Tanjung Dua Belas sub-district. It would be more practical to organise the public hearing in an area where the concerned public is, with far easier mobility and feasibility for the Orang Asli communities, stakeholders and the coalition members to attend.”

She said they have also enquired from the SSFD and the public hearing committee whether the letter has been extended to the 43,502 individuals who submitted their objections and for further information about public hearing sessions I and II. 

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) president Meenakshi Raman said the letter does not give the required 14-day of notice. 

“The notice should actually start from the date when people receive their letters. 

“Besides the lateness of hour, the letter also leaves out detailed information on how the session should be conducted.

“We cannot assume that the session will not be one-sided, so we ask for a proper inquiry process and allow group by group to present their opinions and arguments.” 

They also hope for a proper inquiry to be conducted where everyone is given the chance to present their arguments. – September 26, 2020.