Green Party Urges Selangor To Buy Back Ayer Hitam Forest Land

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The Green Party has urged the Selangor government to buy back about 64.7ha of forest land in Ayer Hitam, Puchong, which is under private ownership, and reinstate its Permanent Forest Reserve status.
Party pro tem secretary Abdul Razak Ismail said the move would serve the well-being of residents and contribute to environmental conservation.
“The first lot, measuring 7.7ha and originally owned by the Selangor State Secretary’s Office (SUK), was sold on Sept 21, 2012, for RM11.5 million. The second lot, measuring 51.9ha and owned by Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI), was sold on Aug 5, 2019, for RM81.1 million.
“Altogether, this land measuring around … (68.39ha) was sold for a total value of RM92.6 million.
“We urge the state government to use its powers to buy back this land from the private company,” Abdul Razak (above) said in a Facebook post today.
Previously, the Selangor government was urged to disclose the historical chronology of the 68.39ha parcel of land near the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve in Kinrara, Puchong, which was reported to be potentially slated for development.
PKR Subang MP, Wong Chen, also demanded that the transaction price of the land be made public, citing concerns over “acquisition costs that may be borne by taxpayers”.
However, the Selangor government explained that the approximately 68.39ha plot near the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve has long ceased to hold Permanent Forest Reserve status, having lost it 99 years ago.
Locals concerned
Selangor executive councillor for Public Health, Environment, Climate Change, and Green Technology, Jamaliah Jamaluddin, stated that a check with the state Forestry Department revealed that the area was degazetted to state land in 1926.
“Our checks found that the area is no longer a permanent forest reserve. Based on gazettement records, the area was originally part of the Ayer Itam Forest, which was gazetted in 1906.
“However, in 1926, the area was degazetted to state land and subsequently alienated for ownership,” Jamaliah said in a statement.
When contacted, Abdul Razak stressed that the issue goes beyond a property transaction and pertains to the ecological interests and quality of life of the local community.
“Locals are deeply concerned about the loss of this green area. The Selangor government must act immediately to take back the land and re-gazette it as a Permanent Forest Reserve.
“Do not allow the last green lung in this area to disappear for the sake of commercial development,” he told Malaysiakini. - Mkini

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