Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) reiterates our call and appeal to the Perak State Government to cancel the siting of two proposed projects in Tanjung Hantu, Manjung District, Perak. The two proposed projects are an iron and steel mill covering an area of 202.35 hectares and a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant covering 60 hectares here.
This call is a follow-up to letters submitted by SAM to the YAB Menteri Besar Perak on 14th September 2009, 16th November 2011 and 3rd August 2012.
SAM is disappointed with the State Government for not providing a response except to inform us that the matter has been forwarded to the relevant authority.
This call also shows SAM’s determination and commitment to protect and maintain natural areas that have high conservation value, which can still be found in Manjung District.
Hence, SAM proposes that the State Government re-gazettes part of the former Tanjung Hantu Forest Reserve (HS Tanjung Hantu) as Permanent Reserved Forest (PFR).
This proposal is justified because the area in Tanjung Hantu and its surrounding that has high conservation value is categorized as Environmentally Sensitive Area Rank I and 2.
SAM’s demand is not only because the area has high conservation value but it is also important for the tourism sector, public use and the fisheries sector particularly coastal fisheries.
We reiterate that the location for the proposed project contradicts the National Physical Plan. The State Structure Plan and District Local Plan should be consistent with the specifics in the National Physical Plan.
According to the Manjung District Local Plan 2002 – 2015, the proposed site has been zoned as Tourism Development Zone of Pasir Panjang – Teluk Senangin because it has natural attractions such as undisturbed beaches, coastal hill forest, heath forest and turtle landing site.
This area and its surrounding has potential for research on biological diversity and low impact eco-tourism consistent with the District’s Development Vision, Objective, Strategy, Manjung District Local Plan 2002 – 2015.
SAM hopes that through this media statement, the State Government, particularly the Menteri Besar of Perak will heed our call and scrap the proposed projects here. Immediate measures should be taken to re-gazette the forest area that was excised from HS Tanjung Hantu.
S.M. MOHAMED IDRIS
President