Incumbent PKR MP wants answers on Bkt Lagong before GE15

Incumbent PKR MP wants answers on Bkt Lagong before GE15


Incumbent Selayang MP William Leong has urged the Selangor government to address several crucial issues surrounding quarrying plans for the Bukit Lagong forest reserve.

In a statement to Malaysiakini, Leong, who is also PKR treasurer, told the Selangor government led by PKR vice-president Amirudin Shari not to use “technicalities and disingenuous arguments” to avoid public scrutiny.

Leong also criticised his party colleague Hee Loy Sian for not addressing the concerns of NGOs and the public on the quarry operations comprehensively.

Hee is the Selangor state executive councillor in charge of tourism, environment, green technology, and Orang Asli affairs. He issued a statement on Sept 29 on behalf of Amirudin and claimed that 27 new quarrying projects in Bukit Lagong have fulfilled all necessary requirements.

Leong said Hee’s explanations were not satisfactory as the Selangor government must also reveal the capabilities and qualifications of the 27 licensees.

Investigations by Malaysiakini revealed that three of the companies are related to Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari - two state GLCs that he chaired, and another company owned by his secretary.

There are another three companies that are linked with Selangor royal members.

Shouldn’t hide behind Official Secrets Act

Leong said it was impractical to shut down the quarry when the eight existing quarrying licences expire and suggested that the government must consider “a sustainable development strategy” for quarry operations in Bukit Lagong.

This, argued Leong, meant that the award of the contracts must be transparent and there must be “full and frank discussions” on the topic.

However, he stressed that it needs to be done with transparency and holding “full and frank discussions with an open book”.

This, said Leong, meant the state government must not use the Official Secrets Act to hide information on the project from the public.

“All parties have to work together to develop the human resources and to educate the communities on the sustainable development of this industry while preserving the environment.

“This can only be done by the Selangor government being transparent and forthright in dealing with the needs for economic growth with protection of the environment. What needs to be done is to hold full and frank discussions with an open book.

“It cannot be done by hiding behind the Official Secrets Act or to circumvent the objective of preserving the forest reserve by using technicalities and disingenuous arguments,” Leong said.

Pressure group Otai Reformasi previously revealed that they filed an application under the Freedom of Information (State of Selangor) Enactment and requested the state government to disclose information on quarry activities in Bukit Lagong.

However, the state government later replied that the information cannot be disclosed as it is classified as “confidential and secret” under the Official Secrets Act 1972.