COMMENT | Discussions, discord, disagreements and disinformation

COMMENT | Even before the town hall meeting started, there were ominous signs that the entire course of events may eventually be yet another episode of the many dramas played out by politicians, their masters and their minnows. It would not take a crystal ball or a clairvoyant to foresee the outcome. The actions (and inactions) of a few in officialdom were so blatant that insincerity seemed obvious.

The powers-that-be will find it an uphill task to convince the 100-odd attendees that the event was conducted in accordance with Queensbury Rules and that it would be improper to feel otherwise.

This town hall meeting yesterday, chaired by Selangor executive committee member Hee Loy Sian, was to hear objections on a proposal to degazette about 971ha (or 941ha) of forest reserve for mixed development.

The two-page invitation to NGOs was a forerunner to the series of gaffes that ensued, which many believe were deliberately done. The acreage differed in the two pages and calling it a typo in such an important document would have to be taken with a pinch of salt.

A meeting to hear objections from individuals had been scheduled for Monday but it was aborted because of a lack of participation. About 45,000 people signed a petition to object but none got invitations. There was an explanation: “We sent invitations to 80 people but none turned up.”

Who were the 80 “lucky” signatories and how were they picked? How were the invitations sent? It all reeks of a sinister move to prevent luminaries like forestry experts, academicians and knowledgeable people from attending.

Perhaps they managed to keep out this group, but the wave of unhappiness could not be contained the following day. An attempt was made to prevent entry, but the attendees did not relent.

At the entrance to the Amverton Cove in Pulau Carey, officers from the state Forestry Department, who are more apt at protecting flora and fauna, were trying to play the role of watchdogs. Wearing a uniform does not necessarily mean they have the powers to prevent entry but they tried. “Only for people with invitations can attend,” they decreed.

Some people found their way in by saying that they were going to the coffee house at the golf club but many, including members of the Orang Asli community, whose land was the core issue of the meeting, and journalists were stuck. Bukit Lanjan assemblyperson Elizabeth Wong, who drove through unfazed, later said: “If they had asked me, I would have said, 'pergi makan angin' (going for some air).”

A timely intervention by Hee broke the impasse after being told of the “road block”. He lifted the barrier and the meeting started after formalities. Accordingly, about 30 people put forth objections and their reasons.

At the end of the almost four-hour session, Hee said that the objections heard by the committee would be forwarded to the State Executive Council for deliberations and a decision. However, something did not sound right.

The application was made by Mentri Besar Incorporated (MBI) and if the state exco is making the decision, wouldn’t it be a conflict of interests when deliberations are made?

Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari had already been partisan when he previously explained that the government wanted to develop the forest reserve as many trees had become “degraded” and now posed a fire hazard. This was disputed by various NGOs and his reasoning was torn to shreds by several speakers.

So, what is MBI going to do with 941ha or 971ha of land? It is not a developer and has no such expertise. As in the past, would the land be alienated to a government company at below-market rates, which would then enter into what will be a lop-sided agreement with a third party to develop the land?

An important question to ask is: “Who will be the eventual beneficiaries in this whole exercise?” The MBI is not a developer. State companies like Perangsang and PKNS already have large land banks which have yet to be developed.

So, is there a hidden hand manipulating the system for selfish interests or is the menteri besar doing someone’s bidding? Is it a political figure demanding his share for supporting the party or is it a businessperson who bankrolled political parties in the polls and the political coup thereafter? No answers were forthcoming.

Hee did not speak or offer answers, except for a closing customary address to thank the audience and to say their views would be forwarded. But a question was posed to him, to which he had no answer.

Hee made a grandstanding last year when he unequivocally declared that forest reserves in Selangor would only be developed for power and water infrastructures, as well as for highway projects.

Having said that, how could Hee, with a straight face, chair a meeting that is in direct conflict with the undertaking he gave? Would he tell his fellow exco members of the solemn promise he had made? Would he be compromising himself by going along with their decision? How is he going to reconcile these differing stances?

Hopefully, a few nights of good sleep and soul searching deep into the inner conscience will provide the pathway to an honest, truthful and just decision. All that is needed is honesty and integrity.

R NADESWARAN has covered several such meetings and is getting bad vibes as to the outcome by looking at the manner in which this whole exercise was carried out. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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