Access international funds to save our vital forests

Necessary: An aerial view made in March 2019 of Ulu Muda Dam and the surrounding Ulu Muda Forest Reserve. The forest is vital as a water catchment area. — ZAINUDIN AHAD/The Star

SAHABAT Alam Malaysia (SAM) calls on the federal government to urgently expedite efforts to secure international funds to help states protect and conserve their forests. Forests are vital in mitigating climate change effects and protecting biodiversity, and should not be allowed to be logged or used for other purposes.

SAM makes this call in view of reports in the media on Tuesday that quoted Kedah Mentri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor as saying that 40 forest concession holders have to be paid RM1bil in compensation or be given replacement forest areas to log due to the withdrawal of their concessions in permanent forest reserves by the previous government.