MACC urged to probe quarry operators in Bukit Lagong forest reserve

MACC urged to probe quarry operators in Bukit Lagong forest reserve

The Selangor government is said to have given approvals for 27 quarries at the forest reserve.

The Bukit Lagong forest reserve is among a few surviving green enclaves left in the Klang Valley. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA:
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has been urged to expedite investigations into 27 quarries in Bukit Lagong forest reserve, located northwest of Kuala Lumpur.

Green Party Malaysia (GPM) secretary-general Razak Ismail said it lodged a report with MACC over four months ago but was informed the case was still under investigation.

“GPM believes that the Selangor state government has committed many wrongdoings and that it is a conflict of interest for the state to give the quarries to the 27 companies,” he said in a statement.

Last year, Malaysiakini reported that among the developers involved in the establishment of the quarries were three agencies linked to the Selangor state government.

They are Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated and Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd, which are chaired by menteri besar Amirudin Shari, and Koperasi Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Selangor Bhd.

Razak had lodged a report with Selangor MACC in his capacity as the secretary of the pro-Anwar Ibrahim group Otai Reformis in Oct 2022 but was told that the case had been transferred to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.

He then submitted a memorandum to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya as a follow-up.

Razak also urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to instruct the MACC to expedite its investigation, adding that this matter would prove the PKR president’s seriousness in cracking down on corruption, even if it involved the party’s members.

“It will be appropriate for Anwar to walk the talk in the fight against corruption as he approaches 100 days in office in Malaysia’s new unity government,” he said.

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