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Environmental Disaster Could Have Been Avoided

      The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) is saddened by the recent mudflow that caused massive damage to the houses of Taman Cuepacs last week. Not only the wildlife and the environment have to suffer, but innocent people too had to endure the indiscriminate destruction of nature. The question is, could the damages have been avoided?
      The Society felt greatly distressed last year when the State Government decided to give the green light to development on one of Kuala Lumpur’s last remaining forest reserves. Despitefunctioning as the areas green lung, wildlife sanctuary and water catchment, part of Bukit Sg. Seputeh was approved for development in the face of contrary advice, public outcry and protest. Instead MNS and many other NGOs, including resident societies received assurances that proper EIA procedures would be followed if development were to take place. Mitigation measures, buffer zones, slope management and silt traps are among other necessary steps needed, especially in developing highly elevated terrain.
      The State announced on December 17 last year that a committee had been set up to monitor the development at Bukit Sg. Seputeh. Clearly this committee has failed in discharging their responsibilities and as a result serious environmental, social and economical damages has resulted. Kemas Anggun should be made to bear all costs of the mitigation measures, as they have not done so earlier, and any compensation for damages that resulted. Heavy rain is not an excuse, as it should have been accounted for in the design of the mitigation measures. We can only wonder what other mitigation measures have not been adhered to in this project.
      The decision to engage environmental consultants for all the five developers is most welcome, but even this should have been a part of the requirements earlier. MNS hopes that the so-called monitoring committee will do their job in monitoring the overall development. Proper monitoring and supervision is very much needed. Sad to say, it is barely practised and when it is, it is only after some serious tragedy.
      This incident again stresses the vital role of the EIA to protect both the interests of the people as well as the environment. As such, all parties must take mitigating measures and monitoring processes outlined in the EIA seriously especially by the developers and local authorities.
      Only then can the public be assured that future projects such as the Kuala Kubu Baru dam will receive the proper attention to prevent similar regrettable damages to the environment or even worse, possible loss of human life. Bukit Sg. Seputeh is one of the last remaining green lung and water catchment near Kuala Lumpur. We therefore call on the authorities to ensure strict monitoring and enforcement of EIA requirements and to reconsider the need for other projects on Bukit Sg. Seputeh.

Dato’ Salleh Mohd. Noor
Kuala Lumpur, 15 March 1999


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Created on 26th April 1999.