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IPOH – Developers need approved Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) before proceeding with projects related to logging or forest restoration in Perak, including at the Kledang Saiong Forest Reserve.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the state only provides the project site but an approved EIA is required as it is part of the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry had previously approved about 100,000ha for logging and forest restoration projects before the state forest committee reduced it to 32,000ha, and last September it was reduced to 6,000ha.
“Several companies were given permission to proceed with the forest (logging and replanting) project, which is to extract wood, on the condition that they replant the (felled) forest trees and cannot arbitrarily log the entire area at one fell swoop or log extensively because it will cause flooding.
“So entrepreneurs (developers) who are given the responsibility, must comply with the SOPs set by the ministry. Then after that, the EIA will evaluate and approve later, we will only approve the location proposed,” he told the media after a Chinese New Year celebration today.
Reportedly, Parti Sosialis Malaysia chairman Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj recently claimed on Twitter that the state government had planned to develop the forest land in Kledang Saiong into a timber farm through several companies that had been appointed.
The Perak government is planning to almost completely log 4200 hectares of forest in Klebang Saiong - most of dark green area in map. Between N-S highway and Sg Siput.
— Dr. Kumar (PSM) (@kumarPsm) January 23, 2023
Then 4 companies will plant and manage timber plantations at that site.
What a terrible idea! pic.twitter.com/LIdirk9li2
Saarani explained that the project is monitored by the environment and forestry departments and the public can also air their views through a town hall session. – Bernama, January 25, 2023