MB: Backlog a possible setback
14/04/2005 The Star BY ZULKIFLI RAHMAN
KUANTAN: Delays are possible if proposals to develop recreational land
have to be debated in state assemblies before approvals are granted,
according to Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob.
“Implementing the proposal will create more backlog in government work.
“We agree to the proposal because it intends to make the procedures more
transparent and acceptable to the people,” he said here yesterday.
Adnan said the Pahang Government had not faced any problem with
development projects involving recreational land, adding that
environmental concerns were considered.
He was commenting on a front-page report in The Star yesterday quoting
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Adenan Satem, who
asked state governments to get the approval of their state assemblies
before developing recreational land, instead of just discussing it with
state executive councillors.
So far, the gazetting of state land for recreational purposes has been
decided by state exco members without discussion in the assemblies, he
said.
Adenan had said that the process of getting approval from the state
assembly on such matters would help the public know of plans to develop
certain areas in their state.
Adenan’s proposal was welcomed by many, reports Teh Eng Hock from Petaling
Jaya.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia lauded the ministry's move but urged it to extend
the requirement to forest reserves, including mangrove forests and hill
lands.
“Besides the debates, the public must also be allowed to give feedback and
objections on impending de-gazetting of public areas,” said its president
S.M. Mohamed Idris.
Global Environment Centre director Faizal Parish called for more
transparency in the areas under consideration for development and the
approval conditions for environmental impact assessments (EIA).
He said this would allow for better monitoring and protection, as it is
often assumed that whatever the developer was doing had been approved in
the EIA or other plans.
“If other agencies don't know which areas have been approved for logging
by the forest department – they cannot look out for illegal logging,” he
said.
Shah Alam City Council member Yeoh Choo Beng welcomed the extra
transparency that would result from such a move.
“The residents would be better informed,” he said.
However, he said, developers who apply to develop such land might have to
wait a while as the state assemblies did not meet often.
Kinrara assemblyman Dr Kow Cheong Wei supported the proposal as
“assemblymen would understand the issue better as they are closer to the
residents and the areas earmarked for development.”
He added that the development of recreational land should only be allowed
if it benefited the residents nearby.
Kampung Tunku assemblyman Datuk Dr Wong Sai Hou said it was necessary to
weigh the pros and cons of the proposal before coming to conclusions.
“We'll discuss it in the next assembly which is from April 23 to 27,” he
said. |
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