KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong has applauded the Selangor government's decision to regazette the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR).
She said the decision showed the state government is courageous enough to listen to the voices of many parties who had protested against the KLNFR degazettement announced on Aug 30.
Wong also welcomed the concerns shared by Pakatan Harapan as well as PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who had highlighted the matter.
"Today's decision showed that the state government listens to the voices of leaders, environmental non-governmental organisations (NGO), elected representatives as well as the people who love and care for the environment.
"We also welcome the decision to add another 581.13ha to the Selangor state forest reserve inventory, as well as providing land to the Orang Asli of Busut Baru village.
"The courage and leadership shown through today's announcement must be commended," she said in a statement.
Wong said the KLNFR regazettement announcement showed that the country is able to move forward for the good of all.
"This is especially so in the participatory democracy through engagements and decision-making process for the sake of the people, which should be encouraged and mandated.
"We are fortunate to have a mandatory public hearing process in the state before any forest reserve is degazetted".
Wong said she hoped for the provisions to be included in the National Forestry Act 1984 to protect forest reserves in the country, which has been increasingly affected due to economic activities.