TWO civil society groups today failed to obtain leave from the Shah Alam High Court to challenge the Selangor government’s action in allowing development in the Bukit Cherakah Forest Reserve. 

Lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan, representing Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam (PEKA) and the Shah Alam Community Forest Society (SACF), told Bernama that judge Shahnaz Sulaiman dismissed his clients’ application for leave for judicial review with no order as to costs. 

“We have instructions from our clients to appeal against today’s decision,” he said, adding that the verdict was made via online proceedings today. 

PEKA and SACF filed the application for leave on August 3 and named the Selangor government, state executive council, state Forestry Department director, and the Petaling Land and Mines Department as respondents. 

Lawyer Lusinthra Pillai Umadas also appeared for the two applicants while lawyers Siti Fatimah, Lau Kee Sern, K.C. Ng and Eunice Aw, R. Ganapathi, Al Sabri, and Sarah Low acted for the respondents. 

The two groups seek to challenge a decision made by the four respondents on November 20, 2000, to allow development in the 406.22ha site through the decision made 22 years ago. 

They also seek a declaration on the need to hold a public inquiry over the development of the forest reserve, as stipulated under the National Forestry Act (Amendment) 2011. – Bernama, November 17, 2022.