AMIRUDIN Shari has been summoned to brief PKR leaders on the state’s controversial plan to degazette part of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve for mixed commercial development.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said today that the Selangor Menteri Besar has been called to give a detailed explanation on the matter to party leaders tomorrow.

Anwar also said that PKR had previously told Amirudin of its disagreement over the plan to degazette part of the forest reserve.

The Port Dickson MP added that he had examined reports and complaints regarding the state’s plan, which was revealed in the state assembly yesterday.

He pointed out that the degazettement was done in May when the Selangor legislative assembly had previously rejected the proposal.

“I would like to emphasise that the decision made has not yet been communicated to the party leadership.

“In fact, the PKR leadership since last year had informed the menteri besar to cancel the matter,” said Anwar.

Yesterday, Pakatan Harapan backbenchers called on their own coalition government in Selangor to reverse its decision to degazette part of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve.

Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng Mei Sze reminded the Selangor government that the state assembly had in November last year unanimously approved a motion to preserve forest reserves in Selangor.

“I am very disappointed. But it’s not too late. The decision can still be reconsidered,” she said.

The Selangor government initially planned to degazette 991.9ha of the forest reserve but decided to reduce the area to 536.7ha due to fierce public objections.

The area included Orang Asli settlements.

The degazettement was done in May without any publicity and only came to light during the Selangor assembly session last Tuesday. – August 31, 2021.