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CAP and SAM are impartial

  • Publication Date | February 21, 2013
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Forests & Biodiversity
  • Issues | Dams, Energy, Genetic Engineering, Logging
  • Tags | Department of Special Affairs
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Article in KOSMO
Article in KOSMO

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) strongly condemn the irresponsible statement by Datuk Fuad Hassan, Director General of JASA (Jabatan Hal Ehwal Khas/ Department of Special Affairs) that he suspects we have an understanding with those who want to see that the Barisan Nasional Government be brought down. The allegation is baseless and highly defamatory.

His accusation that we have not criticized the Kedah State Government led by PAS for logging activities in Tasik Pedu and Gunung Inas but politicized everything involving the Federal Government is baseless and only exposes his ignorance and desperation.
He has no right to accuse us who have been fighting for social and environmental justice, of being not patriotic and serving the agenda of foreign NGOs.

CAP and SAM are grassroots, non-profit, non-governmental organization and since inception have been apolitical in fighting for community rights and environmental justice. 

We hereby state that in the field of environmental protection, CAP and SAM are fearless advocates of the people’s right to a healthy environment. We have championed the interest of citizens and communities against pollution and unsustainable use and management of land and other natural resources in all states in Malaysia. We do not select which issues to act on based on political affiliation or leadership of a state.

We assist communities that have been or likely to be adversely affected by development projects or extraction and exploitation of natural resources. It does not matter whether the communities or the issues are in a State led by the ruling or opposition party. 

On the issue of logging in Kedah, even as recent as 31 January 2013, CAP and SAM held a press conference with the Friends of Ulu Muda coalition to highlight logging in Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, an important water catchment forest. Over the years, CAP has also been writing letters to the relevant authorities and issued press statements regarding forest destruction in Gunung Raya in Langkawi; Rimba Teloi in Sik; Bukit Perak in Pendang; Gunung Bongsu in Kulim; Gunung Inas and Pedu.

Besides logging issues, CAP and SAM have been critical over genetic engineering, nuclear energy, development of dams, incinerators, mega road projects such as the Penang Outer Ring Road, Kuala Lumpur Outer Ring Road, the shelved Highlands Highway project on the Main Range, etc. 

We have also taken the Penang State Government to task for approval of hill development projects as well as the proposed projects which include an underwater tunnel linking Gurney Drive and Bagan Ajam; three highways – a bypass connecting Gurney Drive to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, a link between Bandar Baru Air Itam to the same expressway and a dual-link road connecting Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang which would have serious environmental impacts.

There are hundreds of communities that we have assisted and we have fought many destructive technologies and development projects. None of these are done because we were directed by any political party or funder. We are impartial in opposing the abuse of power and will keep on fighting injustice.

Datuk Fuad Hassan’s statement constitutes a very serious libel on CAP and SAM and we are referring the matter to our lawyers for taking necessary action.


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
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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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