IPOH: More time and studies are required before the state can adopt the amendments to the National Forestry Act that was gazetted at the federal level in 2022, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

The Perak Mentri Besar said its forest land was vast and required more thorough studies before adopting the amendments.

"For states like Perak, Pahang and Johor, we have vast forest lands, compared to Perlis or Penang.

"It needs more studies to be conducted," he said in a press conference after a creative arts fund presentation ceremony at his office in the state secretariat building here on Thursday (May 2).

"We have (a vast forest like) Royal Belum, so we need to look into the finer details.

"We are also looking to get feedback from other states," he added.

Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad had on Tuesday (April 30) said only Perlis and Selangor have fully adopted the amendments to the Act.

Nik Nazmi had told reporters this after launching the national-level International Forest Day celebration at Bulatan Amanjaya here by Sultan Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah.

Among the key improvements included the tightening of the degazetting and replacement process of permanent forest reserve, the introduction of a public investigation process before the degazetting of any forest reserve and the simultaneous replacement of the degazetted forest.

Saarani had in November last year said that the state would fully adopt the amendments.

Separately, Saarani said the state has yet to receive the circular from the Public Service Department (JPA) on the salary hike for civil servants as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday (May 1).

He said the state could only decide after receiving the circular.

"By right, we will follow, so everyone needs to be patient.

"The faster we get the circular, the faster we can make a decision," he said, adding that there were nearly 9,000 state government employees.

"It will involve a lot of money, and we may need to dig for more lanthanide," he said in jest.

Anwar had announced a pay hike of over 13% for civil servants during the launching of the national-level Labour Day celebrations in Putrajaya.

He also announced that civil servants will take home a minimum overall monthly income of RM2,000 under the revamped Public Service Remuneration System, with a new salary scheme to take effect in December this year.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/02/studies-needed-before-state-adopts-federal-amendments-to-the-national-forestry-act-says-perak-mb