Selangor Journal
Picture shown for illustration purposes only. — Picture via UNSPLASH

Right move by state govt to keep 30 pct forest reserves, says Sultan of Selangor

By Nasuha Badrul Huzaini

SHAH ALAM, Aug 23 — The Selangor government’s decision to keep at least 30 per cent permanent forest reserves in the state is the right move, says the Sultan of Selangor.

Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj said a total of 250,000 hectares or 31.47 per cent of land in the state is gazetted as forest reserves, and the state aims to increase it to 32 per cent by 2025.

“The decision by the state government in keeping the size of forest reserves in the state of no less than 30 per cent is timely.

“It is the right move as we are moving towards the green agenda approach. Selangor is the first and only state that conducted public inquiry as part of the procedure to degazette forest reserves.

“This shows that the state administration is very committed to protecting the forests, in line with the green development agenda,” said His Royal Highness in his royal address during the opening of the First Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 14th Selangor State Legislative Assembly, here today.

Last February, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari had stated that the state administration aims to increase the total area of forest reserves in the state to 32 per cent by 2025.

Amirudin said the present estimated area of forest reserves in the state includes the natural forests, peat swamp forests and mangrove forests.

Meanwhile, His Royal Highness said the Covid-19 outbreak led society to use technology and online platforms to conduct daily routines.

The Selangor Ruler said the progress indicated that the community is moving towards digitalisation and that Selangor will continue to provide good quality and high-speed infrastructures to cater to the efforts.

“There is a need to intensify the effort to ensure that the state is more proactive in tackling threats and risks in terms of climate change or natural disasters, such as floods, which could negatively impact the economy.

“Therefore, I urge the state government to continue the green agenda by creating the best and modern ecosystem.

“The agenda will attract investment in green technologies that are resilient to climate change as well as stimulate manpower and increase economic and environmental resilience for a long period,” he said during the opening ceremony, which was broadcast live on Media Selangor’s Facebook.

The 14th Selangor State Legislative Assembly is held at the Annex Building for nine days, from today to September 6.

Catch the live session on Media Selangor’s Facebook and SelangorTV Youtube channel and follow news reports on the sitting via selangorkini.my and selangorjournal.my.

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