THE Kelantan branch of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) together with 12 civil society groups have sent a memorandum to the state government opposing proposed changes to the development plan for environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) in the state involving an area of 514,898 hectares.

PKR’s state leadership council deputy chairman Syed Mohd Alidustur Syed Mohd Zain said if the proposal is approved, Kelantan  would not only not be receiving the Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity Conservation (EFT) allocation, but would face many negative effects including flood disasters.

“The 12 civil society groups involved with us (Kelantan PKR) include Pertubuhan Bantuan Kebajikan Ketereh, Kelab Pautan Kasih Malaysia Bachok and Pertubuhan Akal Fikiran Negeri Kelantan,” he said.

“We strongly object to these proposed changes that can affect the ecology as well as bring disasters especially in the state, and we hope due consideration will be given to the memorandum for a better future for Kelantan.”

He said this to reporters today after handing over the memorandum to Imran Mansor, assistant chief secretary, Kelantan government’s Office Management Services.

The civil society group representative from Himpunan Kasih, Dr Rosli Allani Abd Kadir said if the proposal is approved, it is impossible for the state to avoid bad floods, and people will be affected.

“Many things will happen and the people will be faced with a burden. If forests are cleared, then animals will be endangered and surely that will result with animals searching of food in villages,” he said.

Previously, Kelantan deputy Menteri Besar Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said that the proposed modifications to ESAs in Kelantan are still at the publicity and public participation phase, which began on October 11 and ends on November 11

Recently, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the government was planning to stop the allocation of the EFT to Kelantan if the state continued with its plan to make changes to its development plan involving ESAs.

According to Nik Nazmi, the Kelantan government’s move to make modifications (to the development plan) would have implications on the federal government’s policy to achieve 50% forested areas in Peninsular Malaysia in line with the National Physical Plan. – Bernama, November 2, 2023.