September-October , 2021 | @ Forest
ISSUE
31 investigate and be transparent to prevent misunderstanding among the public . As landowners , they too wanted to develop their properties , so they needed proper and set guidelines from the authorities .
With the availability of remote sensing and drone technology , there should not be any excuse from the authorities if they claim that they are not aware of the activities on such a scale . Their job is to routinely monitor and enforce the rules and regulations as soon as infringements are detected .
The public is sick of listening to the same old excuses . And yet , even after gross violations , we keep hearing promises that it will not happen again , only to find out that a massive project has started .
This blatant disregard will have electoral consequences during the next council and even the State and general election .
The authorities need to clarify
The project at Lot 850 at the junction of Jalan Wangsa 1 and the MRR2 , as highlighted in this column before , is set to proceed and advertisements are already ongoing in the media .
This is despite the absence of the Environmental Impact Assessment ( EIA ), Traffic Impact Assessment ( TIA ) and Social Impact Assessment ( SIA ) reports and the absence of the Advertisement Permit and Development Licence ( APDL ).
Coming back to the Bukit Tabur issue , specifically , the owners of Lot 758 and 759 Mukim Hulu Kelang , Gombak District have been instructed to proceed with remedial works within a specific time frame . The updates are also posted on the Ampang Jaya Deserves Better Facebook page , with a video showing the action taken by units of MPAJ , the Gombak Land Office and The Selangor Forestry Department in impounding the tractors and other heavy machinery from the site .
Residents and NGOs are alarmed that while hikers cannot climb the ridge due to the MCO , this machinery has cleared the forest to build a dirt road , allowing types of machinery to have access to the top of the hill .
How can the authorities say that they are not aware of this activity which has been going on for many months ?
State must be transparent
Frankly , this is laughable . Indeed one cannot be faulted for wondering if there is some irregularity going on here .
This incident is one of many happening in the country that has gone out of control .
The public has made their stand clear . It is the authorities that have to buck up if public trust is to be restored .
The recent Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve issue is another case where environmental groups , notably The Malaysian Environmental NGOS ( MENGO ), have forced the State government to postpone the de-gazetting of the area until all issues raised have been been clarified and adequately addressed .
However , the fact remains the area has already been degazetted as notified in the State government Gazette . MENGO is calling for the State to be transparent and share the expert opinion conducted by a
Residents and NGOs are alarmed that while hikers cannot climb the ridge due to the MCO , this machinery has cleared the forest to build a dirt road , allowing types of machinery to have access to the top of the hill .” consultant that forms this rationale with the public . They wish to see the whole area gazetted again as a forest reserve . The voice of the people through organised NGOs and civil action groups , enhanced by online petitions , is both raising awareness and push back .
The public does not have to depend solely on their so-called elected representatives . It is now capable of organising itself as a force to be reckoned within the democratic parameters .
It augurs well for our citizens when we centre-stage issues impacting the future of our environment and systematically hold the feet of our elected officials to the fire of accountability .
The days are numbered for our elected representatives in Ampang and Gombak , who keep an undignified silence over these excesses . @ Forest
The Green Dude feels that on matters of the environment , politicians politicise the issues . There is a continued credibility deficit among the authorities unless the voice of the community is amplified through organised groups , NGOs and even NGIs ( Non-Government Individuals ) like himself using social media .