Environment and water minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the EIA report allows for the assessment on the environmental impact as well as suggests measures to prevent, reduce or control the negative effects of the environment.

“Any decision regarding development work in the Sungai Panjang Forest Reserve, if it is allowed to continue or not, is subject to the results of the EIA assessment,” he said.

This comes after the Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS) denied allegations that it had cleared parts of the reserve to “replace” degazetted land in the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR)

The Selangor government has been widely criticised by politicians and NGOs after it revealed that it had degazetted 536.7ha from KLNFR for mixed development.

It claimed the degazettement will be beneficial for the state and that forest fires had degraded the forest which poses a fire hazard to nearby areas.

In a statement today, Tuan Ibrahim said he supported energy and natural resources minister Takiyuddin Hassan’s stand against the degazettement.

“The degazettement of KLNFR or any existing forest reserve in Malaysia will affect the 45% target reduction in carbon intensity (per GDP) by 2030,” he said.

He said his ministry is willing to “provide consultations and hold sessions” with the Selangor government to find the best solution to this issue.

“KASA’s (the ministry’s) priority is to ensure that every development project is implemented sustainably without having a negative impact on the environment,” he said.