The ongoing battle to save the Shah Alam Community Forest from being developed continues, the latest update being that two NGOs have filed a judicial review, to challenge the legality of the degazettement of land covering 406ha at the Bukit Cherakah Forest Reserve. The two NGOs, Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia (PEKA Malaysia) and Persatuan Rimba Komuniti Shah Alam (SACF Society) jointly filed a Judicial Review, to nullify the forest reserve degazettement notification by the Selangor Forestry Department on the 5th of May 2022, as they believe the state government is acting unlawfully in excising the land without prior notice, without a public inquiry, and without any replacement area. They also believe there is no provision in the state's forestry law that allows the backdating of excision notifications. What does this latest piece play in the larger puzzle to protect this area from development? We discuss updates on this ongoing issue with Dr Teckwyn Lim, the Treasurer of the Shah Alam Community Forest Society. 

*Click here if you’d like to support SACF’s crowdfunding campaign for legal fees.

Image credit: Shah Alam Community Forest Society