The Star, Friday November 15, 2013
The natural resources inside Bukit Enggang are being removed on a constant basis.
A DETAILED Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) study must be conducted before approval is given for
activities such as extraction of natural resources such as timber and
sand, said the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS).
“Similar studies should also be conducted for dump sites,” said MNS vice-president Henry Goh.
“The MNS is very concerned about the rampant deforestation activities being carried out nationwide.
“The latest report on Bukit Enggang is just one example. We are not against development but all plans must include an EIA study.”
Goh said regular checks for compliance must be carried out and enforcement implemented, with adequate penalties imposed if parties concerned are found to be not complying to pre-set conditions.
“Such actions will also mitigate any potential environmental issues which are likely to impact and cause inconveniences at a later stage,” he said.
“Green lungs within the major cities and towns in Malaysia are few and far between. All efforts should be made to preserve and conserve such areas.”
Goh said this in response to a StarMetro report recently entitled “Conditions going downhill/The dumping hill” that highlighted the deteriorating condition at Bukit Enggang in Hulu Langat.
The former forest reserve site had been earmarked for a bungalow housing project but has instead become a dumping ground, and also an area for activities such as logging and sand mining.
The site’s ravaged condition poses a concern to the villagers of Sungai Serai, whose village is located at the foot of the hill.
When contacted, Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) public relations head Kamarul Izlan Sulaiman said the matter had to be referred to the Hulu Langat Land Office.
“Issues on logging and sand mining comes under the Land Office’s jurisdiction,” he said.
“MPKj’s Planning Department records show that the land status for Bukit Enggang states that they are agricultural lots belonging to individuals.
“No applications for planning permission have been submitted.”
To-date, Dusun Tua assemblyman Razaly Hassan said he has yet to receive a reply from the Hulu Langat Land Office on Bukit Enggang’s land status.
“I will raise the matter again at the upcoming district action meeting on Nov 23,” said Razaly.
“This meeting will be attended by assemblymen and officers from government agencies that come under the Hulu Langat district.”
The Hulu Langat Land Office could not be contacted for comments.
“Similar studies should also be conducted for dump sites,” said MNS vice-president Henry Goh.
“The MNS is very concerned about the rampant deforestation activities being carried out nationwide.
“The latest report on Bukit Enggang is just one example. We are not against development but all plans must include an EIA study.”
Goh said regular checks for compliance must be carried out and enforcement implemented, with adequate penalties imposed if parties concerned are found to be not complying to pre-set conditions.
“Such actions will also mitigate any potential environmental issues which are likely to impact and cause inconveniences at a later stage,” he said.
“Green lungs within the major cities and towns in Malaysia are few and far between. All efforts should be made to preserve and conserve such areas.”
Goh said this in response to a StarMetro report recently entitled “Conditions going downhill/The dumping hill” that highlighted the deteriorating condition at Bukit Enggang in Hulu Langat.
The former forest reserve site had been earmarked for a bungalow housing project but has instead become a dumping ground, and also an area for activities such as logging and sand mining.
The site’s ravaged condition poses a concern to the villagers of Sungai Serai, whose village is located at the foot of the hill.
When contacted, Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) public relations head Kamarul Izlan Sulaiman said the matter had to be referred to the Hulu Langat Land Office.
“Issues on logging and sand mining comes under the Land Office’s jurisdiction,” he said.
“MPKj’s Planning Department records show that the land status for Bukit Enggang states that they are agricultural lots belonging to individuals.
“No applications for planning permission have been submitted.”
To-date, Dusun Tua assemblyman Razaly Hassan said he has yet to receive a reply from the Hulu Langat Land Office on Bukit Enggang’s land status.
“I will raise the matter again at the upcoming district action meeting on Nov 23,” said Razaly.
“This meeting will be attended by assemblymen and officers from government agencies that come under the Hulu Langat district.”
The Hulu Langat Land Office could not be contacted for comments.
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