MALAYSIA: Pas can't exploit forest reserves'
Copyright 2001
New Straits Times (Malaysia)
December 10, 2001
By Nik Imran Abdullah
KUALA TERENGGANU, Sun. - Primary Industries Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik today refuted Pas leaders' allegations that he had suggested that State forest reserves should be opened up for plantation use. He said he suggested that idle or State land be used to develop oil palm plantations, but this was distorted when the State Government found itself mired in controversy after approving about 4,000 hectares of permanent forest reserve in Sungai Paka, Dungun for use as an oil palm plantation.
"They exploited my courtesy to justify the move," he said after a meeting with Gerakan liaison committee members here.
Lim, who is also Gerakan president, said the move to open new oil palm estate was inappropriate as the sector was facing a shortage of about 300,000 workers.
"It is baffling that the State Government would want to convert its permanent forest reserve status to plantation under such circumstances."
He said the State Government should also replace the permanent forest reserve with a new area in accordance with provisions under the National Forestry Act.
He also urged the State Government to carry out sustainable forest management and observe the annual logging quota set by the National Forestry Council.
On another note, Lim said Gerakan would monitor the implementation of State policies to ensure all races were fairly treated as feedback showed businesses that supplied services to industries had been badly affected since Pas took power in 1999.