In a statement today, the department said the decision was in line with the state’s development goals towards socio-economic stability and sustainability.

It also stressed that the Selangor government still maintained about 46% of the forest reserve area in Mukim Tanjung Dua Belas, Kuala Langat as a permanent forest reserve.

“The 17th meeting of the state executive council, which was confirmed by the 18th council in May, decided that only 536.70 ha from the overall KLNFR was approved for degazetting under Section 12 of Selangor’s National Forestry Act (Adoption) Enactment 1985,” the statement read.

The department added that the proposal to degazette the forest reserve went through a thorough public investigation process since the decision on the matter was received in November 2019.

“The state government also imposed several conditions on the developer, Gabungan Indah Sdn Bhd, including to retain 20% of the development area as a green area, as well as the need for the translocation of flora and fauna species of interest,” it said.