KUALA LUMPUR: The de-gazettement of Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR), or any other in the country, will derail Malaysia from its 2021 carbon intensity reduction target presented to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said this would happen if Selangor maintained its plans to degazette the KLNFR which was earmarked for redevelopment.
"For the ministry, the degazettement of KLNFR or other forest reserves in Malaysia will impact the target of 45 per cent of carbon intensity reduction by 2030 under the nation's Nationally Determined Contribution which was presented to the UNFCCC this year.
"I am in full support with the statement issued by Energy and Natural Resources Minister (Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan) who disagreed with Selangor's proposal to de-gazette the KLNFR," said Tuan Ibrahim in a statement today.
Takiyuddin had recently stated that the federal government objected to Selangor's move to degazette 500ha of the KLNFR.
On Aug 30, Selangor Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Orang Asli committee chairman Hee Loy Sian told the state legislative assembly that the state had de-gazetted 536.7ha of the KLNFR slated for development under Section 12 of the National Forestry Act (Adoption) Enactment 1985.
Hee said it was approved during the state executive council meeting on May 5 and validated in another meeting on May 19.
Separately, on the issue of proposed development work near the Sungai Panjang Forest Reserve in Sabak Bernam, Tuan Ibrahim said the Department of Environment (DoE) has yet to receive an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.
He was referring to the DoE's stop work order issued to the Selangor State Agriculture Corporation in April this year for conducting forest clearing activities for a proposed opening of an oil palm plantation before an EIA was submitted.
Tuan Ibrahim said the EIA enabled assessment to be conducted on the environmental impacts and to propose steps to deter, reduce or control negative effects.
"Any decision on whether development work at the Sungai Panjang HSK should continue or not is subject to the EIA's evaluation decision.
"The ministry is ready to hold consultations and engagements with Selangor to find the best solution to this issue.
"The ministry's priority is to ensure every development project is conducted sustainability without bringing negative impacts to the environment," added Tuan Ibrahim.