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Accuracy of YAB Menteri Besar Kelantan’s statement regarding factors contributing to the flood disaster in Kelantan

  • Publication Date | January 23, 2015
  • Document Type | Letter to the Editor
  • Programmes | Development & Planning
  • Issues | Forest Conversions, Logging, Plantations
  • Tags | Kelantan, Lojing Highlands, monoculture, Permanent Reserved Forest, PRF
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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) refers to the statement made by YAB Menteri Besar Kelantan on 3rd Januarythat was reported in several local dailies. 

YAB Menteri Besar Kelantan had stated that logging activities in Lojing Highlands was frozen since 2006.

However questions abound and SAM urges YAB Menteri Besar to substantiate his statement because according to sources from the State Forestry Department, in 2014 alone a total of 41 logging concession licences were approved in the Permanent Reserved Forests (PRF) in the South Kelantan Forest District (covering Jajahan Gua Musang and Jajahan Kecil Lojing). 

Most of the approved logging concession licenses in the PRF in the South Kelantan Forest District are for the purpose of large scale conversion to monoculture crops or what is called tree (forest) plantations. 

Before the growing of monoculture crops take place in the PRF, the original forest cover (natural forest)  will  be harvested by  clear cutting.   Clear cutting for these activities is not  subject to the  practice of ‘sustainable forest  management’  and Annual Allowable Cut. 

YAB Menteri Besar’s statement that Kelantan practices sustainable forest management and has received ‘Malaysian Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management’ (MC&I) certification is only limited to logging activities in natural forest in PRFs. PRFs where monoculture planting, mining and other activities are conducted are not subject to this certification.  

High rainfall rate cannot be construedas the main factor that contributed to the flooding because it is known that the northeast monsoon between October to March does bring heavy rain to the east coast each year. 

The geophysical and topography of Kelantan has several major ranges that is known asthe ‘Central Forest Spine’. According to the National Physical Plan (NPP) the area is categorized as Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) which needs to be protected. 

Although the State Authority has adopted the NPP but it is disappointing that most of the ESAs have been destroyed by human activities especially logging and agricultural purposes. 

Moreover these activities are carried out without control although the State Authority admitted to having ‘standard and operating procedure’ that is approved by the relevant authorities. 

The State Authority must understand that when the ‘Central Forest Spine’, which is categorized as ESA is destroyed and activities other than forest land use are conducted, this would impact the forest hydrology. 

Land surface that is exposed to heavy rainfall will cause excess runoff, erosion of hillslopes, structural damage to the rivers and deterioration of water quality. 

The natural forest is a very important asset because one of the functions of stands of trees and plants is the ability to collect rainfall while the decay on the forest floor protects the soil from direct impact of rainfall. 

In addition, when the forest is destroyed, the process of evaporation increases and water vapour levels are usually higher. 

Based on SAM’s observation and study, we have identified that amongst the contributing factors to the flooding in Kelantan recently is human activities that exploit the ESAs especially in the PRF. For example: 

  • Large-scale clear-cutting logging for the purpose of monoculture plantations in Gua Musang, Kelantan which is part of Sungai Berok Forest Reserve, Batu Papan Forest Reserve, Hulu Galas Forest Reserve and Gunung Rabong Forest Reserve; 
  • Large-scale clear-cutting logging for mining purposes in Gua Musang, Kelantan at Sungai Betis Forest Reserve and Nenggiri Forest Reserve; 
  • Large-scale clear-cutting logging for the purpose of growing monoculture crops are carried out in other districts in Kelantan as well; 

However, there is no denying that there are other human activities and natural factors that had contributed to the floods. 

Even the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V had proclaimed that all parties should be aware that the flood disaster is the result of man’s own making. 

Therefore SAM urges the State Authority to stop and not approve any more risky activities that impact the ESAs especially in the Permanent Reserved Forests. 

SAM also urges the State Authority and other relevant authorities to comply with and adopt plans of physical planning, especially the National Physical Plan (NPP) and other policies relating to conservation and protection of the natural environment, besides enforcing the legal provisions of existing laws. 

S.M. MOHAMED IDRIS

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?
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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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