Bukit Lagong Quarries Otai Reformis Lodges Macc Report

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PKR veterans group Otai Reformis 1998 handed a memorandum to the MACC earlier today, urging the anti-graft body to investigate the Selangor government over approvals given to companies to open 27 quarries at the Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve in the state.
Its secretary Abdul Razak Ismail said he met with MACC officers at the agency's office in Shah Alam this morning to deliver their official complaints on the issue and hoped that an investigation could be launched immediately.
The group claimed there had been an abuse of power in the approvals to the companies, including three that are linked to the state government.
"During the state legislative assembly in 2010, the state government approved the 25-Year Moratorium Policy, which bans any kind of deforestation activities at forest reserves from 2010 to 2035.
"However, the Selangor state government had used a provision under Section 28 of the Selangor Forestry Act to permit the taking of forest by way of 'minor licence'.
"This clearly shows that the state government had abandoned the 25-Year Moratorium Policy and used a 'back door' to allow land clearing and logging at the forest reserve, involving a total land area of 887ha, to make way for quarry activities.
"We were informed that the land plot that would be given to the companies is the size of about 40.4ha each," the memorandum stated.
On top of this, the group claimed there was a breach of standard operating procedures in approving activities on the land plots.
They said four of the companies were set up with low paid-up capital to undertake such major quarry works.
"We also found that the state government had given approvals to two companies whose directors are ‘active politicians’ who have no knowledge and experience in the quarry industry," said the group.
Malaysiakini reported last month that 27 quarries were going to be opened up in Bukit Lagong Forest. Among the companies involved include three developers that are linked to the Selangor state government.
The projects attracted strong criticism from many, including activists and politicians. - Mkini

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