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Abolish the establishment of forest plantations (monoculture plantations) in permanent reserved forests in Peninsular Malaysia

  • Publication Date | December 13, 2021
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Forests & Biodiversity
  • Issues | Deforestation, Forest Conversions, Logging, Plantations, Wildlife
  • Tags | Central Forest Spine, EIA, monoculture, National Land Council, Permanent Reserved Forest
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Monoculture plantation I © Amelia Collins

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) welcomes the decision made at the 79th National Land Council (MTN) Meeting held on 2 December 2021, which had agreed in principle with the implementation of a 15-year moratorium on approvals for new forest plantations (monoculture plantations) in permanent reserved forests (PRF) in Peninsular Malaysia.

However, this moratorium is insufficient and SAM recommends that the policy on the promotion of the establishment and development of monoculture plantations in PRF should be abolished altogether and no longer implemented.

The development of monoculture plantations in PRF destroys the original forest cover (natural forest) through clear-felling. Clear-felling is not subject to the Annual Allowable Cut.

Even the concept of plantations actually contradicts the concept of forests in terms of language and terminology. Plantations are large-scale monoculture agricultural areas cultivated with crops while natural forest is formed naturally by plants and has a high diversity of life and performs various ecological functions.

Usually, the main justification and reason for a State Authority to approve a monoculture plantation development project is because the identified area is defined as poor forest or degraded forest. However, such forests can be rehabilitated by planting various species of suitable trees instead of developing monoculture plantations.

It should be noted that a PRF area in Malaysia becomes a poor forest or degraded forest not due to natural factors but due to human factors especially illegal encroachment and exploration activities.

Since the trend of large-scale monoculture plantation development has been implemented by several State Authorities in Peninsular Malaysia through the lease method to concessionaires for a long period of time, SAM has strongly objected to these schemes as we found that forest biodiversity functions were adversely affected.

In fact, there are monoculture plantations in PRF developed in areas such as wildlife corridors especially in habitats and roaming areas of large mammals especially elephants and tigers, areas involving indigenous communities such as their settlement and territory to collect forest products, water catchment areas and ‘Central Forest Spine ‘(CFS), an ecological network area.

We also found that the development of monoculture plantations in PFR in Peninsular Malaysia do not follow the criteria of suitability for the establishment of monoculture plantations as per the Circular of the Director-General of Forestry, Peninsular Malaysia (No. 1 of 2010) and the Guidelines for the Establishment of Forest Plantations of the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia.

Among the issues arising related to the implementation of monoculture plantation development in PFR which were found not to comply with the criteria for the establishment of monoculture plantation areas in PRF are:-

  • development in areas with a slope of more than 25 degrees;
  • destroy river reserve areas / riparian zones;
  • implement projects in areas that are not defined as poor forests / degraded forests;
  • selection of unlisted tree species (e.g. ‘Musang King’ durian cultivation); and
  • there are projects that have been operating but have not submitted and obtained the prior approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report (for example the development of forest plantation in the Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve, Central Kedah Forest District in the state of Kedah).

Based on SAM’s observations and field studies, we found many monoculture plantation developments in PRF was uncontrolled even though the relevant State Authority admitted to having a ‘standard operating procedure’ that was approved by the relevant authorities.

According to media reports, the Prime Minister stated that there are currently 127,050.25 hectares of forest plantation development zones in PRF that have yet to be approved to any company. SAM will continue to object if the State Authority continues with the policy and proposal for the development of large-scale monoculture plantations in the PRF.

SAM calls on all stakeholders, especially MTN, relevant Ministries and agencies at the Federal level as well as all State Authorities to seriously take into account our firm stand and objection to the development of monoculture plantations in permanent reserved forests.

Meenakshi Raman
President

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Testimonials

Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah satu badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang telah sekian lama berjuang mempertahan kelestarian alam. Ia juga mendidik masyarakat tentang pentingnya kebersamaan dalam pemikiran dan tindakan agar alam ini dapat kita wariskan kepada generasi hadapan dalam keadaan yang elok dan terpelihara. Dalam pada itu juga SAM giat membantu golongan nelayan pantai dalam memperjuangkan hak-hak mereka sehinggalah tertubuhnya Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING). Nelayan pantai sepenuh masa ini dididik oleh SAM sehingga mereka mampu memainkan peranan sebagai pemimpin nelayan yang meneruskan kesinambungan memperjuangkan hak-hak nelayan pantai lainnya. Sebagai contoh SAM telah berjaya menyedarkan masyarakat nelayan keperluan menjaga hutan paya bakau untuk kebaikan hasil tangkapan nelayan itu sendiri.
Jamaluddin Mohamad Bualik
Jamaluddin Mohamad BualikPersatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING)
During the 1980s, I used to read about the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) in the news. After retirement, some time in 2001, while lazing around, I read news about the construction of a carbon in leach plant using sodium cyanide to extract gold in Bukit Koman. My friends and I visited CAP and we were introduced to SAM and her legal team. We discussed the details of filing a case against the gold mining company and the department of environment with Ms Meenakshi Raman and her legal team. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between lawyers from SAM and many of us from Bukit Koman. We had many ups and downs in our struggle to shut down the gold mine that was causing a nuisance in our village. But, as a community we never gave up because SAM had our backs.
Hue Fui How
Hue Fui HowSecretary, Bukit Koman Ban Cyanide in Goldmining Action Committee (BCAC)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah sebuah NGO yang memperjuangkan nasib masyarakat luar bandar khasnya. SAM menerima aduan-aduan masyarakat dan menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi. SAM telah mewujudkan ramai aktivis-aktivis sosial dan alam sekitar. Pada era 1980 dan 90an SAM sangat dihormati oleh masyarakat dan agensi kerajaan. Apabila media sosial menguasai maklumat maka SAM pun terkesan dan masalah masyarakat terus disalurkan dengan pelbagai cara. SAM perlu mewujudkan aktivis-aktivis pelapis yang muda untuk terus membantu masyarakat. SAM juga perlu membuat perubahan supaya banyak turun kelapangan dan jangan mengharapkan laporan media sahaja. Tingkatkan prestasi sebagaimana pada zaman kegemilangan SAM di era 80-90an.
Che Ani Mt Zain
Che Ani Mt Zain
SAM taught me the importance of social activism and the role it plays in upholding the rights of people and the protection of the environment. In my experience, SAM has never hesitated to speak up in defence of people and their environment, and has gone the extra mile to champion their rights, by helping communities take their battles to the higher ups and even to the courts.
Jessica Binwani
Jessica BinwaniPublic/Private Interest Lawyer
Semenjak kami kenal SAM, banyak pengalaman dan pengetahuan yg kami dapat. Kami telah belajar cara membuat baja asli daripada SAM. Semenjak itu, bermulalah minat kami dalam aktiviti pertanian. Dengan memperolehi kemahiran dalam membuat baja asli dan penanaman lestari, kami juga telah dapat menambahkan pendapatan sampingan kami. Ini lebih baik daripada tanah kami terbiar dan tidak diusahakan. Terima kasih SAM kerana sudi memberi bantuan dan tunjuk ajar kepada Persatuan kami.
Chedo Anak Nyuwen
Chedo Anak NyuwenPersatuan Penduduk Sg Buri, Bakong, Marudi
My journey with SAM started when her community organisers took me to the meet the paddy farmers of Kedah, connecting my growing interest in environmental law with our people who struggle to work the land in the face of pollution, replacement of traditional seeds with commercial hybrids and their accompanying chemical package of fertilisers and weedicides. I then had the honour to work with SAM in the struggle for the rights of the native communities of Sarawak, in defence of their forests from massive logging and destructive mega-projects. In every issue that SAM takes up, she combines rigorous research with the realities and voices of the communities to advocate for policies and laws that care for people and nature. From the courts to the elected legislators to policy makers and implementers and to the United Nations, SAM walks side by side with the communities in Malaysia. How can I not be inspired by the vision and passion of the generations of women and men who coalesce to form SAM?
Chee Yoke Ling
Chee Yoke Lingstudent of SAM, Executive Director of Third World Network, SAM’s sister organisation

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Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki, 11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi, Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

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