Skip to content
Sahabat Alam Malaysia
  • Home
  • About
  • Programmes
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • BMBM
  • Donate
  • Archive

SAM & CAP protest destruction of Gunung Inas Forest Reserve

  • Publication Date | December 15, 2015
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Forests & Biodiversity
  • Issues | Planning, Pollution
  • Tags | Gunung Inas, Permanent Reserved Forest, PRF
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email
Share on facebook
Share on linkedin
PDF
Clean water source from Gunung Inas | SAM
Clean water source from Gunung Inas | SAM

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) urge the Kedah state government to investigate and stop the plantation project in Gunung Inas Permanent Reserve Forest, located near  Kulim because it will cause environmental destruction and threaten local livelihoods in the future.

Our survey found that the project involving a forest area of ​​over 30,000 hectares here has caused anxiety among the residents in 10 villages near here because they are concerned that their source of water supply will be affected if this project continues. 

Preliminary work related to the project such as the construction of access roads for logging trucks have been carried out by the company. We regret that information regarding the project has yet to be provided to the public, especially to the local communities.   

The affected villages are Kampung Kepala Titi, Kampung Gelugor, Kampung Kuala Tawar, Kampung Buluh Lemang, Kampung Bukit Rawa, Kampung Lindungan Raja, Kampung Baru, Kampung Desa Teruna, Kampung Sungai Riau and Kampung Sungai Buluh. 

Path to Gunung Inas | SAM

We are concerned with the implementation of the project as it involves watershed for the use of more than 5,000 villagers in these villages. Currently there are five water catchment ponds that are being used by the villagers for drinking, bathing and washing. In addition, the forest is also rich in biodiversity and there are several species of wildlife such as bears, tigers, elephants, deer, kijang and birds that will also be threatened. 

We believe that the problem of soil erosion, sedimentation, pollution of rivers and flash floods will occur if the Gunung Inas Permanent Forest Reserve is cleared and destroyed. The three main rivers, namely Sungai Sedim, Sungai Mahang and Sungai Kerian including tens of tributaries in this area will also be polluted and silted up with mud. River fish which is the source of food and supplementary income for the villagers in this area may become extinct.  

We understand that the Forestry Department of Kedah is conducting an investigation following CAP’s complaint to the authorities. Subsequently, in order to save the environment and the lives and livelihood of the villagers in the area, SAM and CAP urge the Kedah government to take appropriate actions to stop the project immediately. 

S.M.MOHAMED IDRIS

President

Latest

Climate Change

The rush into ‘forest carbon credit’ will not help address climate change

This is a response to the Sarawak government’s most recent amendments to their Land Code and their Forestry Enactment, which mainly concern responses to address climate change.

Read More »
May 27, 2022
Pollution & Extractives

SAM shocked that EIA for lanthanide mining approved in Environmentally Sensitive Area 

SAM is shocked to learn of news that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the rare earth lanthanide mining project in Hulu Perak was

Read More »
May 24, 2022
Pollution & Extractives

NGOs urge all state governments to follow Selangor’s example and stop plastic waste imports                                                                                                         

This is a joint statement with allies working on plastic waste and trade Selangor’s Exco for State Tourism and Environment, YB Hee Loy Sian announced

Read More »
May 23, 2022
Development & Planning

Civil society groups express support for Sungai Ara residents’ case against Sunway Hills project on environmentally sensitive hills

Several civil society organisations in Penang have come together in a show of solidarity and support for the Sungai Ara residents, who have filed an appeal

Read More »
May 22, 2022

The rush into ‘forest carbon credit’ will not help address climate change

  • Publication Date | May 27, 2022
  • Document Type | Letter to the Editor
  • Programmes | Climate Change
  • Issues | Biodiversity, Forest Conversions, Indigenous Peoples, International Treaties, Land Rights, Plantations, REDD-plus
Read more

SAM shocked that EIA for lanthanide mining approved in Environmentally Sensitive Area 

  • Publication Date | May 24, 2022
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Pollution & Extractives
  • Issues | Indigenous Peoples, Mining & Extractives, Pollution, Toxics, Waste
Read more

NGOs urge all state governments to follow Selangor’s example and stop plastic waste imports                                                                                                         

  • Publication Date | May 23, 2022
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Pollution & Extractives
  • Issues | Pollution, Toxics, Waste
Read more

Civil society groups express support for Sungai Ara residents’ case against Sunway Hills project on environmentally sensitive hills

  • Publication Date | May 22, 2022
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Development & Planning
  • Issues | Development, Planning, Urban Development
Read more
Climate Change

The rush into ‘forest carbon credit’ will not help address climate change

Read More »
May 27, 2022
Pollution & Extractives

SAM shocked that EIA for lanthanide mining approved in Environmentally Sensitive Area 

Read More »
May 24, 2022
Pollution & Extractives

NGOs urge all state governments to follow Selangor’s example and stop plastic waste imports                                                                                                         

Read More »
May 23, 2022
Development & Planning

Civil society groups express support for Sungai Ara residents’ case against Sunway Hills project on environmentally sensitive hills

Read More »
May 22, 2022

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

Support our mission

Do your part for the environment with your donations. Each contribution enables our organisation to create more impact towards environmental justice.

Donate here

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

Sitemap

  • Home
  • About
  • Programmes
  • Resources
  • Archive
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Usage of the Website Content

Get the latest news

Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram

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

Sitemap

  • Home
  • About
  • Programmes
  • Resources
  • Archive
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Usage of the Website Content

Get the latest news

Follow us here

Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram
Copyright © 2022 Sahabat Alam Malaysia