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Exploitation of forest resources for quarrying activities in the Segari Melintang Forest Reserve is inappropriate and alarming

  • Publication Date | August 18, 2020
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Forests & Biodiversity
  • Issues | Biodiversity, Conservation, Logging, Mining & Extractives
  • Tags | National Forestry Policy, National Land Council, Perak, Permanent Reserved Forest, PRF, Segari Melintang
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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is concerned that the Perak State Authority may approve quarry activities (granite) and laterite mining in an area of land with the status of Permanent Reserved Forest (PRF) in Segari Melintang Forest Reserve (HS Segari Melintang) in the district of Manjung, Perak.

In 2017, SAM had voiced our concern when the State Authority had approved quarry activities in part of Compartments 13, 14, 15 and 16 of HS Segari Melintang.

SAM’s objection is because there are already several quarries operating in HS Segari Melintang that had impactedthe forest ecosystems and natural coastal area here.

Currently, there are more applications for quarrying activities in part of Compartment 19, 20 and 21 covering an area of about 122 hectares as well as an application for laterite mining activity in part of Compartment 54 covering an area of about 49 hectares.

The approval of quarrying activities in the PRF is contradictory and does not comply with the decision made at the 70th National Land Council (Majlis Tanah Negara – MTN) Meeting in 2014 that all states are urged to take the initiative to control or if possible to avoid any approval of mining and quarrying activities in the PRFs. 

  • Water flow and river destroyed as a result of no buffer zone during earth works prior to quarry activities in Segari | SAM
  • See the level of destruction at Segari Melintang Forest Reserve | SAM

Mining and quarrying activities in the PRF area will affect the functions of the forest, threaten biodiversity and not consistent with sustainable forest management which is the core of Malaysia’s forest management.

In fact, the trend of exploiting forest resources is not in line and contradicts some other policies and commitments. Among them are: 

  1. Malaysia’s commitment during the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992 and the COP15 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Copenhagen, Denmark in December 2009 to maintain 50% of the country’s land area covered with forests;
  2. National Forestry Policy 1978 (Amendment 1992) which is to manage and develop forest resources sustainably for continuous forest production and services; and
  3. National Policy on Biological Diversity 2016 – 2025 to safeguard our biodiversity and complement Malaysia’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

When an area in a PRF is approved for quarrying, all valuable tree stands will be harvested and the forest cover will be cleared first.

The clear-felling harvesting practice is not subject to the Annual Allowable Cut and the Selective Management System and is not in full compliance with the Malaysian Criteria and Indicators (MC&I) for Forest Management Certification.

In 2016, when SAM submitted our feedback on the Manjung District Draft Local Plan 2030, the recommendation by the Local Investigation Committee is to agree with the objection by the objector (i.e. SAM) and to reject the application for new quarry activities in view of conserving the existing forest area.

In addition to our concerns regarding the exploitation of forest resources in HS Segari Melintang, following is SAM’s recommendations to the Perak State Authority for the conservation of the forest reserve:

  • Expedite the proposed gazettement of the Segari Melintang State Park that has been agreed in principle by the State Authority; and
  • Submit an application for compensation to the Federal Government because the State Government will lack revenue for not permitting the exploitation of the reserved forests and other unsustainable activities in PRF areas.

SAM is extremely concerned with the trend of exploitation of forest resources in HS Segari Melintang and hopes that our recommendations to the Perak State Authority can enhance the state’s commitment to sustainably manage the state’s forest resources.

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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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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