The Star, Tuesday December 24, 2013
Dumping
ground: Bukit Enggang turned from a forest reserve into a government
bungalow cluster that did not materialise, has reduced to a “popular”
dump site.
DEFORESTATION and illegal land clearing were reported at two separate locations in the Hulu Langat district this year.
In mid-July, StarMetro highlighted the illegal felling of rubber trees at the Sungai Tekali forest area, raising the risk of flooding and mudslides.
A check with the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) revealed that both the land clearing and sawmill where the timber was sold were illegal.
A total of 28 lots of land, with a combined area of 22.7ha, had been cleared.
An environmentalist said the water banks along the cleared land appeared on the verge of collapse, and could cause flooding and mud slides.
Commonly used as fuelwood and for making furniture, rubberwood has become a major source of revenue for the Malaysian timber industry.
Logging royalties for rubberwood is exempted to benefit the country’s economy.
However, the two-decade old policy has also brought about negative consequences.
Even though no royalty is paid, operators still need a licence from the Forestry Department to log rubberwood.
In mid-November, StarMetro reported that Bukit Enggang had become a dumping ground.
Once a forest reserve, it was subsequently divided into hundreds of bungalow lots and given to civil servants.
Sixteen years later, the secluded hill has since been turned into an area for activities such as logging and sand mining.
While Bukit Enggang is out-of-bounds to “unauthorised vehicles”, lorries laden with sand and rubbish were reportedly spotted entering and exiting the area.
Joggers are the only outsiders allowed to enter in the morning.
Existing infrastructure at the site has been stolen, damaged or abandoned.
A huge sand mining site was spotted in a secluded area, with no sign indicating they are licensed to carry out the activities.
What used to be bungalow plots are covered in thick undergrowth.
Villagers of Sungai Serai, located at the foot of the hill said the area where trees were felled was supposed to be a buffer zone between Bukit Enggang and Sungai Serai.
MPKj public relations head Kamarul Izlan Sulaiman said a stop-work order and compound notice was issued in July to landowners of the Sungai Tekali forest area under Act 70A (1) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 for carrying out earth works without the council’s approval.
Offenders will have to pay a compound of RM25,000, and a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or face imprisonment not exceeding five years, or both if found guilty.
Razaly said land at the 348ha affected site on Bukit Enggang had already been transferred to individuals, most of whom were high-ranking government officers.
“While the authorities acknowledged that the land has been trespassed, neither the Hulu Langat Land Office nor MPKj can take action as the land is under private ownership.
“Any action has to be taken by the individual landowners,” said Razaly.
In mid-July, StarMetro highlighted the illegal felling of rubber trees at the Sungai Tekali forest area, raising the risk of flooding and mudslides.
A check with the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) revealed that both the land clearing and sawmill where the timber was sold were illegal.
A total of 28 lots of land, with a combined area of 22.7ha, had been cleared.
An environmentalist said the water banks along the cleared land appeared on the verge of collapse, and could cause flooding and mud slides.
Commonly used as fuelwood and for making furniture, rubberwood has become a major source of revenue for the Malaysian timber industry.
Logging royalties for rubberwood is exempted to benefit the country’s economy.
However, the two-decade old policy has also brought about negative consequences.
Even though no royalty is paid, operators still need a licence from the Forestry Department to log rubberwood.
In mid-November, StarMetro reported that Bukit Enggang had become a dumping ground.
Once a forest reserve, it was subsequently divided into hundreds of bungalow lots and given to civil servants.
Sixteen years later, the secluded hill has since been turned into an area for activities such as logging and sand mining.
While Bukit Enggang is out-of-bounds to “unauthorised vehicles”, lorries laden with sand and rubbish were reportedly spotted entering and exiting the area.
Joggers are the only outsiders allowed to enter in the morning.
Existing infrastructure at the site has been stolen, damaged or abandoned.
A huge sand mining site was spotted in a secluded area, with no sign indicating they are licensed to carry out the activities.
What used to be bungalow plots are covered in thick undergrowth.
Villagers of Sungai Serai, located at the foot of the hill said the area where trees were felled was supposed to be a buffer zone between Bukit Enggang and Sungai Serai.
MPKj public relations head Kamarul Izlan Sulaiman said a stop-work order and compound notice was issued in July to landowners of the Sungai Tekali forest area under Act 70A (1) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 for carrying out earth works without the council’s approval.
Offenders will have to pay a compound of RM25,000, and a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or face imprisonment not exceeding five years, or both if found guilty.
Razaly said land at the 348ha affected site on Bukit Enggang had already been transferred to individuals, most of whom were high-ranking government officers.
“While the authorities acknowledged that the land has been trespassed, neither the Hulu Langat Land Office nor MPKj can take action as the land is under private ownership.
“Any action has to be taken by the individual landowners,” said Razaly.
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