Swapping logging concessions a step backward, NGO tells Kedah MB

The Kedah government’s proposal to compensate timber companies with replacement logging concessions is a step backwards, said environmental group Organisation for the Preservation of National Heritage (Peka).

The group said despite Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s assurances that the replacement concessions would be production forests as defined by law, any logging will have a negative impact on the environment.

Peka president Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil said that if the original concessions in Ulu Muda are indeed water catchment areas, then those concessions shouldn’t be issued in the first place.

“It is the duty of the state authorities to ensure that water catchment areas are protected. Failure to do so is tantamount to misfeasance on their part.

“To issue new concessions to compensate from a wrongfully issued concession in the first place goes against the grain of good governance and raises serious questions about the true intent of the proposed compensatory issuance of logging concessions,” she said.

Earlier, Sanusi said the state government is facing RM1 billion in compensation claims from 40 logging companies. He later revised the figure to RM1.5 billion.

This is due to 131 concessions totalling 22,098 hectares in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, which were granted when PAS was in power between 2008 and 2013, but were suspended after Pakatan Harapan took power.

PAS has since wrested control of the state as part of the Perikatan Nasional coalition and is mulling to compensate logging companies with replacement logging concessions.

Sanusi’s predecessor, Mukhriz Mahahtir had disputed the RM1 billion figure when he stated that no company has made such claims whether on its own or as a collective, and the outstanding issues have already been resolved and only need to be implemented.

"This is a lie intended to justify the decision to approve concessions,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sabrina said Malaysia had made international commitments to maintain at least 50 percent forest cover in the country and ensure sustainable development, but the official figure for West Malaysia has already fallen to 43 percent.

Allowing further deforestation could also make Malaysia more vulnerable to natural disasters and threaten water security, and not only in Kedah but other states as well, she said.

Sabrina said Kedah should disallow further logging in its territory but instead increase efforts to preserve existing forest and reforestation.

She urged the state government to exercise caution and prudence as well as to conduct a detailed study on its legal position before taking any further steps.

“Running a state is fraught with challenges, but the state government must not take the easy way out by pandering to the narrow interests of particular groups but provide a lasting solution that is just for all,” she said. - Mkini

✍ Credit given to the original owner of this post : ☕ Malaysians Must Know the TRUTH

🌐 Hit This Link To Find Out More On Their Articles...🏄🏻‍♀️ Enjoy Surfing!