IPOH: More state governments should adopt the amendments to the National Forestry Act gazetted at the federal level in 2022, says Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said so far, only Perlis and Selangor have fully adopted the amendments.

“We passed the amendments to establish uniform standards across all states.

“Since then, we have been making efforts to push all state governments to follow through,” he told reporters after the launching the national-level International Forest Day celebration at Bulatan Amanjaya here by Sultan Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah on Tuesday (April 30).

Accompanying Sultan Nazrin at the ceremony were Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim and Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

Nik Nazmi said he had made the same plea during the celebration last year.

He said among the key improvements were 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.

“This is a crucial safeguard. We cannot be complacent because there is always pressure for economic development or illegal activities,” he said.

On why the other states have yet to adopt the amendments, Nik Nazmi said based on the Federal Constitution, many forestry issues fall under the state's jurisdiction.

“Without amendments at the state level, it does not have an effective force of law. That is why we need the state governments to make those amendments.

“I believe some states are working on it after Perlis and Selangor. We hope this can be expedited,” he added.

Nik Nazmi also said it was important to have a safeguard in place where there is pressure for development.

“Forests being cleared need to be safeguarded. This is our priority and a collective responsibility,” he said.

Earlier in his speech, Saarani said with the continuous guidance of the state Ruler and together with all members of the state government administration, various initiatives have been drawn up to conserve and manage the forests in Perak.

He said as of March 31, the total area of the permanent forest reserve stood at 988,826.98ha, which represents 96.4% of forested areas.

“Throughout last year, the state government had gazetted an area of 4,655.55ha of new permanent forest reserve involving 4,520.75ha of terrestrial forest and 134.80ha of swamp forest.

“This additional area also maintains Perak’s status as the state with the highest percentage of permanent forest reserve in Peninsular Malaysia at 47%,” he added.

Saarani also said the state government has identified an area of sea swamp forest in Kuala Kurau with an area approximately 356.12ha to be gazetted as a new permanent forest reserve.

"We have allocated RM66.3mil this year to strengthen the environmental sustainability agenda, in line with the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan.

“Of the amount, 81% or RM53.9mil was distributed to the state Forestry Department,” he added.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/04/30/more-state-governments-should-adopt-national-forestry-act-amendments-says-nik-nazmi