Statement by the Perak State Forestry Director Datuk Mohamed Zin Yusof that logging areas in part of Compartment 13, 14, 15 and 16, Segari Melintang Forest Reserve (HS Segari Melintang) in Manjung District, Perak has been approved for quarrying confirms Sahabat Alam Malaysia’s (SAM ) prior assertions on this matter.
The approval of quarry activities in the Permanent Reserved Forests (HSK) is contradictory and does not comply with the 70th Meeting of the National Land Council in 2014.
The National Land Council had advised all State Authorities to take initiatives to control or if possible to avoid any approval of mining and quarrying activities within a Permanent Reserved Forest (PRF).
The rationale behind the National Land Council’s resolution on this is due to the fact that mining and quarrying activities withina PRF will directly affect the achievement of sustainable forest management that is central to the management of the nation’s forests.
As the PRF has been approved for quarrying, harvesting of trees will be clear cut.
Clear-cutting harvesting practices are not subject to Annual Allowable Cut, not subject to the Selective Management System and are not subject to full compliance with the Malaysian Criteria, Indicators, Activities and Standards of Performance (MC&I) for Forest Management Certification.
Even before this, SAM had filed a protest through the public participation of the Manjung Local Plan 2030 on the zoning ofquarry in HS Segari Melintang.
SAM’s protest was due to the presence of several existing quarries at HS Segari Melintang which had an impact on the ecosystem of the forest and the coastal area.
Residents of nearby areas, especially those living in Kampung Sungai Batu, Pantai Remis, claimed that logging activities in the jungle had affected a waterfall in Tanjung Batu.
They found tree branches and wood residues from harvesting activities left in the river reserves and buffer zones.
They also claimed that trees in the river reserve and buffer zone were cut down.
Locals find that the forest area being harvested and has been approved for quarrying has the potential to be a recreational area as there is a waterfall and has become a favourite recreation area for locals and outdoor adventurers.
According to feedback from the Manjung Local Plan 2030 Investigation Committee to SAM, the Committee agrees with the SAM’s objection and rejects new quarry applications to maintain existing forest areas.
Therefore, SAM urges the Perak State Authority to reconsider and revoke the approval given for quarrying in HS Segari Melintang area in Tanjung Batu, Pantai Remis, Manjung, Perak.
S.M. MOHAMED IDRIS
President
