By Khairul Azran Hussin
SHAH ALAM, Nov 5 — The Selangor government is still reviewing the proposal to degazette the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve.
State executive councillor for environment Hee Loy Sian said the decision requires a comprehensive study on the environmental, economic, and social impacts.
“The process to degazette a forest reserve must go through a strict procedure, we have to take into account many aspects including gathering feedback.
“Therefore, this process is still at the stage of the public investigation process and no decision has yet been made,” he said in his winding-up speech at the Selangor Legislative Assembly sitting, here yesterday.
On February 20, Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said about 40 per cent of Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve was damaged due to fire and encroachment, and no longer has elements of the virgin forest
Amirudin said as a replacement, the state government proposed two forest reserves located in Sungai Panjang, Sabak Bernam and another two in Kuala Selangor and Ampang Pecah, Kuala Kubu Bharu.
The proposed forest reserve is adjacent to the Raja Muda Musa Forest Reserve, which is the largest peat swamp forest area in Peninsular Malaysia.