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NGOs shocked by logging activities in greater Ulu Muda forest

  • Publication Date | November 25, 2020
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Forests & Biodiversity
  • Issues | Deforestation, International Treaties, Logging, REDD-plus
  • Tags | Convention on Biological Diversity, Kedah, Paris Agreement, Tasik Ahning, Ulu Muda Forest Reserve
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Several non-governmental organisations (listed below) are shocked to learn about recent occurrences of deforestation activities in a forest reserve in the Greater Ulu Muda Forest.

According to satellite images, between May and November 2020, some 87 acres (0.35 sq. kilometres) of natural forest near to Tasik Ahning, in the Bukit Keramat Forest Reserve have been clear-felled and terraced for what appears to be a plantation (see images below). 

The images also reveal earlier deforestation and terracing in an area close to this most recent deforested area.

Given recent assurances by the Kedah Menteri Besar that the Greater Ulu Muda Forest will be protected as a water catchment where no logging activities are permitted, we call on the Kedah state government to urgently clarify the situation.

Kedah MB Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor told the Kedah State Assembly in August this year that for the domestic, agricultural and industrial needs of the 4.2 million people in Kedah, Perlis and Penang, the state government was continuing the policy of maintaining the Greater Ulu Muda Forest as a water catchment with no permitted logging/deforestation activities. We are most alarmed by the current highlighted deforestation from these satellite images. Such deforestation activities will undermine the ability of the state to receive Federal funds for forest protection from sources such as the Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity Conservation (EFT) proposed in the 2021 Budget.  The EFT will make available RM70 million for states that protect their forests.

We understand from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, that in 2019 a sum of RM60 million was channelled to states to protect their forests. We are not aware of how much was channelled to Kedah.

We understand that the federal government is also taking further measures to support state governments under the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) Finance Framework with the provision of further funds.

We reiterate our call to the Kedah state government to check and monitor deforestation, including halting further logging and approval of forest conversions for plantations or other environmentally-damaging uses, in the Greater Ulu Muda Forest. 

We wish to underscore that the provision of funds from the Federal government to the Kedah state government must be in order to maintain the Greater Ulu Muda Forest in perpetuity for the valuable ecosystem services it provides, including ensuring water security, regulating the climate and protecting biodiversity.

By protecting its forests, the Kedah state government also plays a critical role in supporting Malaysia to fulfil its international commitments under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Kedah state government must not undermine such efforts by allowing logging in the Greater Ulu Muda Forest complex.

This statement is endorsed by the following groups: 

  1. Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP)
  2. Ecotourism & Conservation Society of Malaysia (ECOMY)
  3. Forum Kedah Sejahtera dan Harmoni
  4. Gerakan Merbok Bangkit Kedah
  5. GreenSmiths
  6. Jaringan Penggerak Melayu Desa Negeri Kedah
  7. Jaringan Pengguna Lestari Kedah
  8. Jaringan Taawun ‘alal Birri Wattaqwa Sungai Petani (Network for Cooperation on Goodness and Piety Sungai Petani)
  9. Majlis Muafakat Muslimah Masjid Kedah
  10. Malaysian Cave and Karst Conservancy (MCKC)
  11. Malaysian Nature Society Penang Branch
  12. Persatuan Alam Sekitar Kedah
  13. Pertubuhan Dhuafa Sejahtera Kedah
  14. Persatuan Peduli Dhuafa dan Pengupayaan Masyarakat
  15. Pertubuhan Menangani Gejala Sosial Malaysia (UNGGAS MALAYSIA)
  16. Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia (PEKA) Kedah
  17. Rangkaian Petani Lestari Alam 
  18. Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM)
  19. Treat Every Environment Special (TrEES)
  20. Water Watch Penang (WWP)
  21. Yayasan Aman Kedah
  22. Yayasan Pendidikan Orang Asli Malaysia

For further information, please contact Meena Raman, SAM President at 012 4300042

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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
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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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