LETTER | We read with consternation the Malaysiakini article detailing 12 new plots of forest in Pahang, Johor, Terengganu, Kelantan, and Perak that have been logged under false pretences.

Why is our Department of Environment (DOE) approving the logging and destruction of our forests even after the moratorium?

What is the point of having a DOE that does not look out for the welfare of the environment as its primary goal and instead allows for the destruction of our forests on such a large scale?

We demand that a moratorium be imposed on the issuance of all Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approvals by the DOE pending a thorough and independent investigation into the legality of the logging activities.

We also call for an investigation into the DOE for issuing environmental assessments for the 12 plots of forests which was clearly granted without any proper basis.

These EIA approvals blatantly disregard the 2019 deforestation cut-off and undermine the credibility of government promises to protect Malaysia’s forests.

Peka views these approvals as a grave violation of environmental laws and a threat to Malaysia’s biodiversity.

RAJESH NAGARAJAN is the president of the Association for the Protection of the Natural Heritage of Malaysia (Peka).

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