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Wednesday, August 02, 2006
CHOPPER RIDES OVER CHOPPED FORESTS
Today, Natural Resources and Environmental Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid (aka Mr Normala Samsuddin -- oopps, couldn't resist) was quoted in the papers lamenting his frustrations over the failure of three States to follow the guidelines developed by the Federal Government on hillside and hilltop development.
He named Penang, Selangor and the FT of Kuala Lumpur as the three culprits which are still approving projects on hilltops above 300 metres and slopes with a gradient of more than 35 degrees. The guidelines were issued in 2002 and revised last year.
The Minister said he found out about this when he took a helicopter flight over Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. (I wonder whether his was the same helicopter used by the Selangor Menteri Besar when he was forced to pantau the Bukit Cerakah area not too long ago after it was discovered that some unscrupulous developers, with the approval of his officials no doubt, had been sesuka hati flattening hills and felling trees adjacent to the forest reserve. Seems like helicopters are the transport of choice among Ministers. Donno lah, I mean I notice rampant rape of hilltops and slopes while just driving my car!)
Anyway, he went on to say that while all Menteris Besar/Chief Ministers are aware of and have in principle agreed to adhere to the guidelines, there have been occasions when they were left with no choice but to approve a particular project.
Hello.
I don't understand this part. They were left with no choice? Hello? Life is all about making choices. You have to make choices, and when you do, you aim to make the right ones. It's the same in politics. Politicians must make choices, and the choices they make must be in the best interest of their constituents, in the best interest of the nation. And not just taking into account of what the developers want (although what the developers want might often involve something going into someone's banking account).
Like the Minister said, the guidelines were designed to protect the environment and prevent natural disasters and (this is an understatement) ignoring the guidelines could have serious consequences.
So what "left with no choice" was he talking about?
To me the choice is simple. You can't flatten hills and slopes. Besides the obvious disastrous consequences, hills and slopes don't grow back. Don't people understand that? People in other countries go to great lengths to preserve their natural heritage. Here in this country no one is doing anything, at least anything meaningful.
I mean, guidelines? Double hello? Make these an Act of Parliament, then you can decisively act against the offenders and those in power who could be in cahoots with them. Go after the CM of Penang, the MB of Selangor, the powers that be in KL. Make them pay.
Especially the MB of Selangor. I can't believe the guy. So many disasters have happened in his State, so many environmental wrongs higlighted, yet he doesn't seem to care.
In other States, there are also a lot of questionable projects that to me do not make any sense. Like a shopping complex on Perhentian. Or a dual carriage highway on Langkawi. People holiday on these islands to experience their natural beauty, to sample the idyllic island life. To get away from the trappings of city life. They don't go to Perhentian to shop! And, who really are always in a rush and need a highway on Langkawi?
I understand a lot of people make a lot of money from development projects, but to embark on these projects without any regard to the environment, to our natural heritage that one day will be passed on to our children and their children and their children, is beyond comprehension.
I hope Datuk Azmi will do more. Shape and develop the guidelines into an Act. For all of our sakes.
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