LENGGONG: The state government has assured residents that their concerns regarding potential severe flooding and landslides linked to land clearing in the Kledang Saiong forest area will be addressed promptly.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said his administration is seeking further clarification about the project from the Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Perak (PKNPk), which is believed to be conducting silica mining operations in the area.
Saarani said that all land development projects must secure proper planning permission (KM) from relevant authorities and comply with stringent guidelines.
"That is PKNPk land. So, for me to answer this wouldn't be entirely accurate. We need to get information from PKNPk because, for every land development nowadays, planning permission approval is mandatory," he said.
He told reporters in a press conference after closing the Jelajah Sejahtera Desaku Programme at Dataran Tasik Raban here today. Also present was state Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun.
He said even government agencies like Risda or Felda must follow the same process for activities like replanting or other land-related initiatives.
"I am not sure if they (PKNPk) have applied for KM yet; they need to submit it first. Once submitted, the relevant departments under the local authority will review the plan to ensure it includes mitigation measures, and most importantly, adheres to a required buffer zone," he said.
Saarani also reassured the public that their concerns are being taken seriously and that the process for obtaining KM is highly rigorous.
"It's not easy. The process is very strict. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) must be adhered to, along with all related requirements, such as a tree-cutting schedule. Tree cutting, for example, must follow a specific timeline and should not occur during the monsoon season," he said.
He said the state government has vowed to ensure transparency in the approval process, balancing development needs with environmental preservation and community safety.
Yesterday, the state government faced criticism for its alleged failure to address environmental degradation linked to red soil and rock material quarrying in the Kledang Range. These quarrying activities, which began following the degazettement of about 500.2 hectares of the Kledang Saiong Forest Reserve in 2010, are now blamed for worsening erosion, sedimentation, and recurring flash floods in the Sungai Pari basin.
Environmental activists and local residents in Taman Chepor Indah and Rancangan Perkampungan Tersusun Batu 10 said that the state government has ignored clear warning signs of environmental damage from unchecked quarrying operations.