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Save Ulu Muda for our survival

  • Publication Date | March 14, 2018
  • Document Type | Letter to the Editor
  • Programmes | Forests & Biodiversity
  • Issues | Biodiversity, Deforestation, Forest Conversions, Forest Degazetting, Logging, Water, Wildlife
  • Tags | Kedah, Penang, Perlis, Permanent Forest Reserve, PRF, Ulu Muda
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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) is disappointed that the Kedah State Government continued to license logging in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve (UMFR), threatening its life-supporting functions..

Covering a total land area of more than 163, 000 hectares (ha), the Greater Ulu Muda Forest which comprises the UMFR and surrounding forest reserves, is the largest natural heritage area in the northern region. This forest complex is twice the size of Singapore or 1.5 times the size of the State of Penang.  

The UMFR is home to many rare and endemic species, sheltering thousands of species, including large mammals such as the Asian Elephant, Clouded Leopard, serow, Malayan Tapir, Malayan Sun Bear and 10 types of Hornbills.

Due to its size and nature, the UMFR serves as a huge carbon sink that traps carbon dioxide and produces oxygen daily. In this context, the UMFR helps to mitigate the effects of climate change and global warming.

Most importantly, the UMFR is the largest water catchment area in the northern region. Rainwater collected in the natural environment of the Greater Ulu Muda forests fills the three major dams in Kedah – the Ahning Dam, the Muda Dam and the Pedu Dam. Raw water from the Ulu Muda also flows through Sungai Muda to Penang.

Raw water that originates from the UMFR is treated daily to meet 70% of Perlis’ daily water needs, 96% of Kedah’s daily water needs and more than 80% of Penang’s daily water needs.

In short, the UMFR collects raw water to meet the water supply needs of a total estimated population of 4.09 million people in three states. People need water daily, and with population growth, more raw water will be needed from the UMFR in the future.

Since water is an essential element for all sectors, ranging from agriculture to businesses, the economies of Perlis, Kedah and Penang are very much dependent on the UMFR.  

Raw water originating from Ulu Muda is essential for double cropping in the rice fields of Kedah, Perlis and Penang. The paddy parcel in the Muda Agriculture Development Authority’s jurisdiction is largest in the nation covering an area of 100,685ha. Thus the MADA paddy fields is a major contributor to Malaysia’s local rice supply.

There are many important reasons to conserve and protect the forest reserves in Greater Ulu Muda as a precious national resource. Instead, Kedah continued to issue logging licence in the UMFR for short-term gains from “forest premiums”.

The negative “fall-out” effects of logging in the UMFR include:

  • Deforestation and annihilation of endemic species of plants and animals;
  • Increased poaching activities in the forest reserves with easier access into deep forest regions via logging roads/tracks;
  • Destruction of the biggest “carbon sink” in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia;
  • Raising the risk of a water crisis for 4.09 million people in Perlis, Kedah and Penang, especially during dry seasons;
  • Endangering all economic activities in Perlis, Kedah and Penang;
  • Undermining Kedah’s role as the “Ricebowl of Malaysia” that produces one-third of the nation’s rice; and  
  • Increased risk of mud flows and the sedimentation of rivers flowing from the forest reserves which consequently leads to heavy flooding downstream of Ulu Muda.

In the past 12 months, Friends of Ulu Muda, environmental organisations, think-tanks, academia, and institutions have publicly called for a ban on logging in the UMFR. On the mass media front, Kosmo! and The Star have published in-depth exposés related to logging in the UMFR from 2016 till 2018 and news reports on logging in the UMFR have been published in all major newspapers in the country, as well as in various online news portals.

A rudimentary “Google” search will reveal video reports, photos and satellite images that reveal and document how logging has damaged areas in the UMFR.

Despite the exposés and outcry, the Kedah State Government continues to insist that logging in the UMFR is a “Kedah issue”. In January 2018, the Kedah Forestry Department allegedly submitted a report to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) claiming that “logging did not have an environmental impact” in the UMFR.

In this regard, we urge the NRE Ministry to make public the scientific data from the Kedah report for it to be scrutinised and viewed by other stakeholders. It is important to note that this call has also been made by Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang Sdn Bhd (PBAPP) in its press release dated 7th February 2018.

SAM & CAP urge Zero-Logging in Ulu Muda

From SAM and CAP’s standpoint, there should be “zero-logging” in Ulu Muda and the Kedah State Government must act to accordingly. There should be no such thing as “licensed logging” in the UMFR, let alone “unlicensed logging” and other extractive activities such as mining or quarrying.

The Federal Government should also provide some financial resources to the Kedah State Government to protect and rehabilitate the UMFR. There are international funds available that the government can tap into such as the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility to ensure that Malaysia is able to meet its international committments in protecting biodiversity and in addressing climate change.  

The Federal government must ensure that the Kedah State government classifies the Permanent Reserved Forests in the Greater Ulu Muda as water catchment forests for the greater good.

SAVE ULU MUDA!

S.M. MOHAMED IDRIS

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?
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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)
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Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
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Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

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