This was the question posed today by PKR rebel Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard.

In a press conference, Chegubard claimed that Azmin had approved the rezoning project, which had been rejected by previous state administrations, in April this year.

He pointed out that the entire Paya Indah Wetlands is classified as a Ramsar site under the Ramsar Convention — an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. There are six such sites in Malaysia.

“It was declared a world heritage site as it is the habitat for rare, endangered animals.

“Records show that migratory birds stop at the wetlands during their annual migrations,” he said, adding that the project, should it go through, would disrupt the ecosystem.

According to Chegubard, there had been several proposals to develop the area since 1994, but all were rejected due to its “world heritage” status.

“In fact, previous Menteris Besar such as Khalid Ibrahim, Muhammad Muhammad Taib, Abu Hassan Omar and Mohamed Khir Toyo had rejected such applications because the land was situated in the Paya Indah Wetlands.”

Chegubard asked the PKR-led state government to not be a “hypocrite” in its struggle as the party had previously pledged to protect the forests of Sarawak from illegal logging.

He “reminded” PKR that it won the state, not because it wanted to follow Umno and BN, but “because we want to do better for the rakyat and the environment”.

He also urged the Selangor Government and the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to immediately withdraw the approval to develop the land.

Chegubard said his NGO, Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM), will collaborate with environmentalists and other NGOs to form a select committee to “save” the wetlands from development.

At press time, FMT was unable to reach Azmin’s office and other Exco members for comment on Chegubard’s claims.