22/08/2025

FRIDAY | AUG 22, 2025

FOLLOW

ON TWITTER Malaysian Paper

4

@thesundaily

Malaysian forests at risk under ‘restoration’ projects

Damar Laut. During the visit, they were briefed on upcoming facilities including the 380m marine flyover, Pan Island Link 2A, Matang Food Court, community facilities and a new Community Development Department training centre. Silicon Island is a reclamation project owned by the Penang government, marking the first time the state has directly undertaken such a project to drive long-term economic growth. – Bernama The livestock exhibition at the veterinary pavilion also brought together more than 220 sado (muscular) cattle as well as other livestock, including deer and hybrid chickens. “We also introduced a livestock feed product called OxyFAT, developed through a collaboration between Kelantan Agricultural Group Berhad and Oxytech Sdn Bhd, with support from RHB Bank as the project financing partner for feed and feed mills. “This launch will enable OxyFAT feed to be marketed nationwide, including to the southern regions of Thailand,” he added. – Bernama Penang cracks down on pig farm violations TASEK GELUGOR: Pig farmers and traders in Penang, particularly in Kampung Selamat, have been reminded not to misuse the movement permission account or transfer permits by using the names of other farms, to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF). Penang Veterinary Services Department director Dr Saira Banu Mohamed Rejab stressed that they are also prohibited from moving sick pigs or those confirmed positive for the disease to slaughterhouses. “Such actions are not only against the law but also pose a high risk of spreading ASF infections to other farms and areas. Currently, the infected pigs are under control and we hope no further spread occurs. “The department has strengthened enforcement and monitoring of slaughterhouses while also conducting continuous surveillance to ensure other farms remain ASF-free,” she told Bernama yesterday. So far, four farms in Kampung Selamat have been confirmed positive for ASF and 21 pig samples from slaughterhouses have also tested positive.

RimbaWatch urged federal, Sabah and Sarawak authorities to establish an immediate moratorium on all conversions of forest reserves for timber plantations. “This can be achieved by upholding the 2021 National Land Council ban on the zoning of new land for ITPs and explicitly prohibiting new forest conversions in reserves. “Second, the Federal, Sabah and Sarawak departments of environment should issue a directive banning all future approvals of environmental impact assessments for ITPs in forest reserves. “Third, the National Forestry Act should be amended to prevent monoculture plantations and other non-natural forest uses being permitted in reserves. “And finally, a legal strategy should be formulated to maintain natural forest cover at its current maximum extent, including by enshrining key measures in federal and state legislation such as the upcoming Climate Change Act,” it said in the statement.

government as deforestation, which is an exceedingly concerning development,” the statement read. The group further warned that ITPs pose a significant threat to the traditional territories of the Orang Asli community, the diverse indigenous groups residing in the country. Its 2024 report estimated that hundreds of thousands of hectares of indigenous territories fall within plantation concessions, including those for ITPs. “The clearance of 2.4 million hectares of forest reserves for plantations jeopardises Malaysia’s domestic commitment to maintain 50% forest cover and its international pledge under the Glasgow Declaration on Forests to reduce forest degradation by 2030. “Importantly, these clearances would violate the rights of indigenous communities and undermine the ecological functions of Malaysia’s forests, which are essential for global planetary health and local resilience to worsening climate change,” it added.

o Watchdog renews call for moratorium as 2.4 million hectares of reserves threatened

Ű BY MAHADHIR MONIHULDIN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

immediate moratorium on all ITP projects in forest reserves nationwide. In a statement on Tuesday, the watchdog explained that ITPs are programmes supported by the forestry authorities to increase timber production. “The report, State of the Malaysian Rainforest 2024, found that the planned expansion of ITPs in forest reserves threatens the deforestation of 2.4 million hectares of natural forest across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. This represents 76% of all total threats to Malaysia’s forests, covering an area roughly equal to the combined size of Johor and Negeri Sembilan. “As ITPs are exclusively located in areas gazetted as forest reserves, any conversion of natural forest to timber plantations will not be recognised by the Malaysian

PETALING of hectares of natural forests, including indigenous territories, are at risk of being erased under industrial timber plantation projects presented as “forest restoration”. RimbaWatch, an environmental watchdog, has warned of the danger and called for an immediate moratorium on such schemes in forest reserves. An English news portal recently reported that a proposed Industrial Timber Plantation (ITP) project at the Tersang Forest Reserve in Pahang would clear forests equivalent to 1,800 football fields, threaten biodiversity and harm indigenous communities by infringing their rights. In response to the report, RimbaWatch renewed its calls for an JAYA: Millions

Kelantan showcases first cross-bred cow BACHOK: The first French Charolais cross-breed cow in Kelantan, named “Marconah”, was showcased to the public for the first time at an exhibition held in conjunction with the 2025 Kelantan Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen’s Day at Pantai Irama. State Agriculture, Agro-Food Industry and Commodities National Veterinary Biodiversity Institute in Jerantut to produce this high-quality breed,” he said during the opening ceremony on Wednesday. He added that the achievement was an important step towards producing a hardy cattle breed and reducing dependence on imports in the future.

local fishermen to sustain their livelihoods more effectively. “To date, 118 out of 295 active fishermen who own boats have received new boats and engines, with a total expenditure of almost RM10 million,” he added. On Wednesday, Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib and his wife Toh Puan Raja Noor Ashikin Raja Abdullah visited the project site to witness the progress and crossed to the island via a 378m temporary iron bridge built at Permatang Committee chairman Datuk Tuan Mohd Saripudin Tuan Ismail said the 180kg female calf was produced through the artificial insemination straw method. “Marconah is the offspring of a cow named ‘Marco’, which was born early last year and is now one year and seven months old. It was developed through the Naimbif Cattle Conservation Project and the Bio Animal Reproduction Centre in Jeram Pasu, Pasir Puteh. “The state government – through Kelantan Biotech Corporation – has collaborated with the Kelantan Veterinary Services Department and the

Silicon Island reclamation crosses 80ha milestone GEORGE TOWN: Reclamation works for Silicon Island have passed the 80ha mark, marking steady progress for Penang’s largest land reclamation project to date. a positive sign that the project was advancing according to plan and was not only about physical progress. benefits from improved facilities,” he said in a statement. LITTLE PATRIOTS ... Children from Tabika Kemas Klebang Restu waving the Jalur Gemilang in Ipoh, Perak before joining a two-kilometre parade to enliven the National Month celebrations. – BERNAMAPIC

On the development of the Social Impact Management Plan, Farizan highlighted that RM11.7 million in ex-gratia payments had been channelled to 791 eligible fishermen, reinforcing the state government’s commitment to their welfare. In addition to cash assistance, the government has also introduced a boat and engine scheme as part of ongoing efforts to provide financial support and modern equipment for

“This project is designed to drive Penang’s long-term growth by combining world-class infrastructure, sustainable development practices and community-oriented facilities. “It will also open up new opportunities for investment, innovation and employment, while ensuring that the local community

The project, covering a total area of 930.78ha, is being developed in two phases – 510ha under Phase 1 and 420.9ha under Phase 2 – with reclamation works beginning in September 2023. Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd CEO Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said the milestone was