MB's response still leaves questions

04/03/2005 NST

THE much awaited response from Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo leaves many questions unanswered.

If slope-cutting is not allowed, as he stated, how did it happen? And while it is reassuring to hear the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) would monitor future works, why was it not done all this while?

Surely, we could have contained or even avoided the damage if those entrusted to do the job had acted in time. The massive cutting of slopes was not accomplished in a few hours.

One wonders why measures were not taken to ensure sustainable and integrated development in the area in the first place. And should not the guilty authorities, too, be hauled up for their failure, instead of merely targeting the developers for the damage done to the environment?

While the MB's assurance that there was no encroachment into the park is an apparent relief, the fact that he admitted that only three areas were affected by the development negates his statements.

If the development was deemed safe, how come the vegetable and fruit gardens, cultural village and the Sungai Baru dam were affected?

We seem, in no uncertain terms, to be admitting that:
• We are willing to damage the environment.
• Giving priority to conservation against inconsiderate
development is not the preferred choice or standard practice.
• Existing laws do not hit where it hurts most.

J.D. LOVRENCIEAR
Semenyih