FOLLOWING Department of Environment’s (DOE) no-go on the Selangor Smart Agro Park (SSAP) project, its state assemblymen said that any development projects must consider the impact it would have on the environment and wildlife at the locality.
“I always welcome development but please comply with our laws, especially those involving our environment,” Sungai Panjang lawmaker Datuk Mohd Imran Tamrin told FocusM.
On April 6, a coalition of environmental NGOs urged the Selangor state government to stop the clearance of 2,400 acres of peat swamp forest in Sabak Bernam by the Selangor State Agriculture Corporation (PKPS), saying it would create untold damage to the ecology.
“PKPS is planning to clear and drain the peat swamp forest, which is a critical habitat for rare wildlife and fish species found nowhere else on the planet.
“And we’re appalled that logging and clearance of the forest in already underway, despite not having an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report done,” the Coalition for the Protection of Selangor Forests said, in a statement.
PKPS shot itself on the foot
An EIA is mandatory for all projects involving clearing and draining more than 20ha of peat swamp forest for agriculture or other uses.
Last week, DOE director Norlin Jaafar announced that PKPS did not submit an EIA report before embarking on the project.
“Based on our records, PKPS did not submit any EIA report as per the requirement under Section 34A (6) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974,” she was reported saying.
Touching on the matter, Imran claimed that PKPS did not give clear picture on the SSAP project to the public, with the state Government even backing the company.
“Very little information is given to us. In fact, we’re surprised PKPS carried out the project without DOE’s approval. This should not have happened,” the Umno leader opined.
Imran also claimed that PKPS is now in a bind, as several contractors and sub-contractors hired for the job are unclear on how to more forward.
“I was informed that the contractors and sub-contractors thought all requirements were met before embarking on the project. Some of them have invested their money as well,” he added. – April 20, 2021.
