Menteri besar Saarani Mohamad said negotiations would be handled on a win-win basis while taking into consideration the federal government’s current financial position.

“If Kedah were to ask for RM100 million, Perak’s demand will be higher, but we will not make unreasonable demands.

“The amount has not been determined because the state forestry department is looking into the matter.

“The decision will also depend on the approval of the federal government.

“We have not held any discussions yet,” he told a press conference after a state-level greening programme at the Sungai Siput Forestry Training Complex here today.

He was commenting on Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s statement on Nov 21 that the federal government would compensate state governments that maintained their forest reserves as water catchment areas and protected them against illegal logging activities.

Saarani said the state government had given approval for 1,741 hectares to be gazetted as new permanent forest reserves since 2017.

He said the gazette approval by the state executive council involved the districts of Kinta, Manjung, Larut, Matang Selama and south Perak.

Earlier, in his speech, Saarani said 3,613ha of the state’s forest reserves had been affected by encroachment and illegal activities.

“A total of 64 cases of forestry crimes have been detected by the forestry department and related agencies.

“Sixteen of these cases were related to encroachment or illegal logging activities,” he said.