A group of civil society organisations has urged state governments in Peninsular Malaysia to commit to the Central Forest Spine Master Plan, ensuring there is no further clearing of jungles in the area.
The group B.E.A.CC.H –Biodiversity, Environment, Agroecology, Climate Change, Habitats – said the master plan was approved on July 20, at the 40th National Physical Planning Council (NPPC) meeting. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and attended by menteris besar and chief ministers from Peninsular Malaysia.
B.E.A.CC.H is the environmental cluster of a coalition of more than 100 civil society organisations focusing on institutional reforms for a better Malaysia.
The NPPC approved the master plan to connect eight major forest complexes in Kedah, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan.
“The master plan serves as a guideline for planning and physical development of forests in Peninsular Malaysia and fulfills Malaysia’s pledge to maintain at least 50 per cent of its forest and tree cover, made at the Rio Earth Summit 1992,” B.E.A.CC.H said in a statement.
“The master plan has been discussed extensively with the federal government working on getting the states’ buy-in for years, as constitutional laws clearly indicate that all land matters, including forest covers, lie with the state.
“With the approval of this master plan, all eyes are now on the accountable parties, especially the state governments, on the execution and implementation of recommendations within the master plan.”
The group added that the state governments should incorporate the relevant areas into the respective state’s structure and local plans.
“These plans are gazetted and legally binding. B.E.A.CC.H. would like to commend the federal government for getting the master plan ready and for gathering feedback and insights, including from state governments, universities, non-governmental organisations, corporate companies, environmentalists, and scientists.
“The master plan is detailed, and includes maps, ecological linkages, and reforestation plans for wildlife corridors, and should not be compromised by decisions made by the states, which include degazettement exercises.”
The group highlighted the clearing of forests within the Gunung Inas Forest Reserve in Kedah – located within the Central Forest Spine – to make way for a rubber timber clone and a durian plantation. Many believe this led to the catastrophic Baling Floods in Kedah recently, that claimed three lives and affected some 1,500 villagers.
“The Central Forest Spine plays an important role in maintaining critical ecosystem services. It provides climate regulation, soil protection, and maintenance of critical water catchment areas that supply water to 90 per cent of the population in Peninsular Malaysia.
“The Central Forest Spine is also home to a diverse selection of flora and fauna, including the endangered Malayan tiger, Asian elephant, Malayan sun bear and
Malayan tapir.
“The civil society organisations urge the federal government to utilise incentives and penalties to compel state governments to comply with the master plan.”
The group said incentives include allocations through the Ecological Fiscal Transfer mechanism disbursed through the Finance Ministry, on the recommendations of the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry, as well as development funds distributed via various other ministries.
“States that contravene the master plan should be denied the relevant funds, while states that uphold it, could be provided with additional financial incentives to acknowledge their efforts.
“The only way the Central Forest Spine Master Plan would be a success in meeting the nation’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change, is for all parties to be cognisant of their respective roles in protecting Malaysia’s natural resources,” it added.