On Monday, the public was stunned to learn that the Selangor government had alienated half of the Kuala Langat (North) Forest Reserve to a private company.

The state executive council decided the matter on May 5 but it was only revealed three months later during a state legislative assembly hearing.

The state assembly was told that little-known Gabungan Indah Sdn Bhd had won rights to turn a portion of the peat swamp forest into a mixed-development project.

What is known, however, is that Gabungan Indah was not the initial company proposed to develop the land.

Change of developer

The state executive council first proposed the de-gazettement on Oct 19, 2019.

In February 2020, the Selangor Forestry Department...