THE coalition for the protection of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR) has urged the Selangor government to immediately withdraw the proposal to de-gazette the green zone for development, now that the state assembly has unanimously passed a motion on November 11 to protect the state’s gazetted forest reserves.

Pertahankan Hutan Simpan Kuala Langat Utara (PHSKLU) said the assemblymen had objected in particular to the Selangor government’s proposal to de-gazette the KLNFR for the purpose of a “mixed development project”.

“The motion was raised by YB Najwan Halimi (Kota Anggerik-PKR) who in his speech, reiterated the moral responsibility of everyone to be a steward  for the environment,” it said in a statement today.

“In addition to the destruction of environment and biodiversity loss that  has been highlighted many times in the press, YB Najwan also pointed out that areas around KLNFR were still relatively underdeveloped. Hence, there appears to be no reason to encroach on the forest reserve, a decision which implies a lack of planning by the state.”

The motion came after more than 45,000 objections were logged over the de-gazettement of KLNFR.

Selangor wants to cut down and develop 931ha of the peat swamp forest which borders Cyberjaya, Putrajaya, Putra Heights and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to make way for “mixed development”.

PHSKLU today said it would monitor the situation as the final decision on the fate of KLNFR lay with the Selangor executive council.

“After such a clear and unanimous message from the people of Selangor and their elected representative, any decision to proceed with changing the spirit and status of KLNFR will be shocking at the very least.” – November 13, 2020.