We, as concerned NGO’s, urge the state’s Menteri Besar Osman Sapian, and the state Executive Council to undertake this issue seriously and investigate immediately the dubious reclassification of the land use. The state government are also responsible for clarifying the dual designation of “Forest Reserve Land” and “Development Use” of this mangrove reserve area at the same time, as outlined in the District Local Plan (RTD) for Johor Bahru and Kulai 2025 (Replacement). The current land categorisation of this mangrove reserve area must also be clarified. Furthermore, the state government must ensure transparency on land use categorisation and resort to public consultation before making any amendments, as well as provide the access to public records pertaining to land status.
This issue surfaced in just merely two months after the media reported the de-gazettement of Pulau Kukup’s national park status. It is very obvious that the state government do not response positively on both issues and shows little or no effort to ratify the underlying issues. In our opinion, the new state government should demonstrate the administrative boldness to the public, and to rectify any misconducts of the previous regime. We stress that the state government must take immediate and stern action to halt further development and provide the public a full account of the current situation and future plans for preservation of both mangrove reserve lands.
We also call upon the intervention of the federal government on these incidents. Should the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Government choose to do nothing or remain silence on the sacrifice of mangrove reserves in the name of development, not only the approval ratings and public confidence on the PH Government will be severely affected, but also tarnishes the reputation of our nation.
We also strongly oppose the irresponsible remarks made by Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Xavier Jayakumar, claiming that the federal government doesn’t have the right to intervene. The federal government are well within their rights to cite the National Heritage Act, and declare the mangrove forest along the riverine of Pulai River as a national heritage and stop further development of the area.
Mangrove forests are irreplaceable and have major ecological importance to humans and wildlife. We must unite to protect this beautiful land that we are living on and prevent further encroachment of the nature reserve lands.
作为关心柔佛的公民组织,我们呼吁柔佛州务大臣 - 奥斯曼和柔佛州行政委员会认真看待此事,应立即彻查这种不透明改用土地用途的作业模式,以解决公众疑虑。
柔佛州政府需要交待:为何这片土地在《2025年新山县与古来县计划(替代版)》中同时具有"森林保留地"和"发展用地"的双重身份?这块土地目前的用途组别是什么?柔佛州政府应该确保土地使用的透明度,包括改用土地用途前咨询公众、让公众能够获得土地的官方记录等。
此前,同为红树林保护区的龟咯岛被取消国家公园地位,柔佛州政府未积极回应,此事再没有下文。事隔两个月后,经媒体再曝出此事,柔佛州政府却始终保持缄默。柔佛州政府应向人民展示行政魄力,以纠正前朝所遗留的问题。柔佛州政府应立即采取行动,停止这项发展,并且交待两个红树林保留地的现况与去向。
我们也呼吁联邦政府介入此事,希盟联邦政府若对此事袖手旁观,任由国家级地位的红树林湿地被沦为发展计划,会打击希盟政府的国际形象与民意支持度。我们也强烈反对水务、土地及天然资源部长西维尔所发表的"联邦政府无权介入"的不负责任言论,联邦政府有权援引《国家遗产法令》(National Heritage Act),将埔莱河红树林申报为遗产区,制止这项计划的发展。
红树林湿地是保护动植物与人类不可替代的自然生态。作为生活在这片土地的一份子,我们应组织起来,共同关心这块土地,以避免再有自然保留地受到商业发展项目的侵害。
联署单位/Endorsing NGOs :
1. 柔南黄色行动小组 Johor Yellow Flame (JYF)
2. 群议社 Agora Society
3. 业余者 Amateur
4. 原住民关怀中心 Center for Orang Asli Concerns
5. 独立新闻中心 Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia
6. 槟城消费者协会 Consumers Association Of Penang
7. 居銮益人社会服务中心 Eden Welfare Charity Society Kluang
8. 愿景工程 ENGAGE
9. Free Tree Society Kuala Lumpur
10. 草根 Grassroots
11. 之间文化实验室 In Between Cultura
12. 马来西亚世界女性和平组织 International Women's Peace Group (IWPG) Malaysia
13. 柔佛人民行动小组 Johor People Action Group, JPAG
14. 隆雪华堂社会经济委员会 KLSCAH Socio Economic Committee
15. 吉隆坡不要焚化炉行动委员会 Kuala Lumpur (KL) Tak Nak Insinerator (KTI)
16. 隆雪华堂青年团 Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall - Youth Section
17. 隆雪华堂妇女组 Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Women Division
18. 大马反死刑与酷刑组织 MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture)
19. Malaysia Christian for Justice
20. 马来西亚居士协会Malaysian Buddhist Kulapati Association, MBKA
21. 森美兰中华大会堂青年团 Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section
22. 槟城论坛 Penang Forum
23. 槟城古迹信托会 Penang Heritage Trust
24. 大红花之友 Persahabatan Semparuthi
25. 芙蓉般若佛教会Persatuan Agama Buddha Prajna Seremban
26. 环境之友行动者协会 Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam - KUASA
27. 森美兰乡联青 Persatuan Belia Xiang Lian Negeri Sembilan
28. 雪隆社区关怀协会 Persatuan Komuniti Prihatin Selangor dan KL, PRIHATIN
29. 森美兰潮州会馆青年团 Persatuan Pemuda Teochew Negeri Sembilan
30. 雪兰莪妇女之友协会 Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor
31. 森美兰华人益赛会 Persatuan Tiong Hua Negeri Sembilan
32. Pertubuhan Alam Sekitar Sejahtera Malaysia @ Grass Malaysia
33. 优昙生命关怀协会 Pertubuhan Kebajikan Udumbara Malaysia
34. 社会主义党努沙再也支部 PSM Cawangan Nusajaya
35. 大马自然之友 Sahabat Alam Malaysia
36. 人民之友 Sahabat Rakyat மக்கள் தோழர்கள்
37. 芙蓉基督教卫理公会 Seremban Chinese Methodist Church
38. 人民之声 SUARAM
39. 向日葵选举教育运动 Sunflower Electoral Education Movement
40. Tanjung Bungah Residents' Association (TBRA)
41. 大马新青年 University of Malaya Association of New Youth
42. 马来西亚妇女发展组织机构(八打灵分会) Women Development Organisation Malaysia Petaling Jaya New Town Branch