Hee (left) says approval for quarrying works will be given in phases to reduce the overall impact. — KK SHAM/The Star
COMPANIES given approval to carry out quarrying in Selangor must prepare a 10-year management plan addressing ways to minimise impact on the environment.
State tourism, environment, green technology and Orang Asli affairs committee chairman Hee Loy Sian said the management plan presented by each small licence holder must encompass infrastructure layout, quarry activity planning, “overburden” management and area conservation, among other requirements.
“Approval for quarrying works will be given in phases to reduce the overall impact,” he said at the sitting in Shah Alam.
Hee was responding to a question from Saari Sungib (PH-Hulu Kelang) on approvals for quarrying in the Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve.
“About 20 quarrying areas in the Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve were approved from 2018 to 2019, totalling 800.5ha.
“The first phase is expected to start operations in 2023, followed by a second phase in 2026,” Hee said.
All quarry approvals were given as small licences in accordance with Section 28, Selangor State Forestry Act (Adoption) Enactment 1985.
He said six quarries in Bukit Lagong that were given approval to operate in 1992, would cease operations by next year.
The state government had come under fire for issuing licences for rock quarrying within the Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve.
“These approvals were issued to meet the need for building materials for development purposes in Selangor and the Klang Valley.
“Every quarrying operation in the reserved forest areas is in compliance with conditions set by technical departments such as the Minerals and Geosciences Department, Environment Department, Occupational Safety and Health Department as well as local authorities.”
The assembly also heard that some 40 Rumah Selangorku affordable housing projects had been approved by the Selangor government as of Oct 1.
State housing, urban well-being and entrepreneur development committee chairman Rodziah Ismail said the projects were in the process of obtaining building plan approvals by local councils.
She added that 10,567 type-A units have been planned, although construction was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The cost of building materials such as metal, sand and cement has increased by an average of 9.21%.
“While the state has limited powers to control the price of raw materials, we have taken proactive measures by introducing schemes such as Rumah Selangorku Harapan and Rumah Idaman MBI to spur construction,” she said.
Rodziah was responding to a question by Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN-Sijangkang) on the number of affordable housing projects that were approved but had yet to be built.
Rodziah added that this year, the state had introduced incentives for housing developers to build Rumah Selangorku projects with a 100% exemption on development charges.
She said 109,272 affordable housing units have been approved in Selangor and would be completed in phases by 2026.
