SHAH ALAM, Dec 17 — The land for a proposed project near the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve in Kinrara, Puchong, was degazetted 99 years ago, state executive councillor for public health and environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin revealed.
She said her office had sought clarification on the status of the land following claims that the area constitutes a forest reserve.
“Checks conducted with the Selangor State Forestry Department found the area is no longer a permanent forest reserve,” she said in a statement last night.
“Based on gazette records, the area was originally part of the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, which was gazetted in 1906, but in 1926, the area was degazetted and reverted to state land before subsequently being granted ownership.”
Jamaliah said the information has been conveyed to Kinrara assemblyman Ng Sze Han, who had expressed concern over the land’s status and submitted a formal request for clarification.
Recently, media reports highlighted a proposed project involving about 68ha of land near the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, which is located in the Kinrara state constituency and Subang parliamentary constituency.
Jamaliah, however, said the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) hasn’t received applications to develop the area, as was reported.
“The state government appreciates the concern shown by the public and civil society organisations regarding environmental conservation efforts, and will continue to ensure all decisions made are based on facts, legal provisions and the long-term interests of the state and its people,” she added.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement to Media Selangor, Jamaliah rubbished claims online that the Selangor government was responsible for converting the land title, and reiterated that the degazettement was done in 1926.
She said her first statement was not about the degazettement, and only intended to clarify the existing land status based on valid legal records.
Last month, Puchong residents held a protest against the proposed project, citing concerns over potential traffic congestion and environmental risks.
On Monday, Subang MP Wong Chen urged the Selangor government to release all records related to the land within two weeks, adding that he had received 3,752 signatures from residents opposing the proposed housing project on the site.
He noted that the land had been transferred from Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB) to a property developer.
Wong also requested transaction prices be disclosed to allow an estimation of potential acquisition costs for taxpayers.
