By Zaki Salleh
IPOH: Perak Ecological Friends Association (SEP) has welcomed a statement by a state executive councillor that the Local Investigation and Hearing Committee (JSTP) will not approve the proposed change of land use from a forest zone to residential and agricultural zones on Lot 559526 near the Meru Valley Golf Club.
Its chairman, Amlir Ayat, said the decision also involves the rejection of a proposal to change the boundary of Planning Block (BP) 8 to Small Planning Block (BPK) 4.5 for an area of approximately 18.62 hectares (46 acres) as proposed in the Draft Ipoh City Local Plan 2035 (Amendment).
“SEP is pleased and welcomes the stance stated by the Housing and Local Government Exco, Sandrea Ng, as it demonstrates the state government’s commitment to preserving forest areas from any unsustainable development,” he said in a media statement today.
However, he hopes that the Perak Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad, as Chairman of the State Planning Committee, will finalise the JSTP decision so that the state authorities do not approve any land-use changes in the area concerned.
According to Amlir, to prevent future rezoning, SEP has also proposed that the existing forest zoning and land use be maintained and that the area be re-gazetted as a protected area.
“SEP proposes that the area be gazetted as a Permanent Reserved Forest (HSK) under the National Forestry Act 1984 (Adoption), and also gazetted under the Land Conservation Act 1960 (Act 385),” he said.
He stressed that this step is important to ensure environmental sustainability and to safeguard green areas in Ipoh City for future generations.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the Meeting of the Perak State Special Committee on Cave and Hillside Area Development discussed the direction and approach to the development of environmentally sensitive areas in Perak.
Also present at the meeting was Sandrea, in her capacity as the responsible state executive councillor.
The state government is currently implementing a pilot project as a basis for the formulation of more comprehensive guidelines.
Complete guidelines will be established and adopted as a shared reference, including for places of worship as well as any existing or new development activities in hillside areas.
