Latest news with #PermanentForestReserves
The Star
29-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Govt identifies REE as strategic mineral source, to pursue responsible mining, says Johari
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has identified rare earth elements (REE) as a strategic mineral resource with significant economic potential, says Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. However, the acting Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister emphasised that any development must be carried out in a responsible and sustainable manner. 'To realise this potential, the REE industry must be developed across the entire value chain, from upstream to midstream and downstream, consistent with the policy framework outlined in the National Mineral Policy 3 (NMP3). 'However, this must be done responsibly and sustainably,' he said in a parliamentary written reply on Monday (July 28). He was responding to Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam), who had asked the ministry to state its stance on REE mining in Malaysia and to explain the studies which encouraged the government to promote such activities, as well as how public concerns over pollution, water safety, technological capacity and public health would be addressed. Johari said a study under the 11th Malaysia Plan found that inferred REE resources in the country amounted to an estimated 16.1 million metric tonnes. However, further studies are required to determine the volume of measured resources and, subsequently, extractable reserves. 'A follow-up review by the Minerals and Geoscience Department (JMG) identified an estimated 144,220 hectares of land outside Permanent Forest Reserves (HSK) with potential for REE mining, subject to further evaluation and necessary approvals,' he added. To ensure that mining activities are conducted safely and sustainably, Johari said JMG, as the lead technical agency, will regulate operations under the Mineral Development Act 1994. This includes pollution control and periodic safety inspections. 'In Perak, for example, regulatory mechanisms have been strengthened through the establishment of the State Technical Regulatory Committee on REE Mining, which involves 10 technical agencies at both federal and state levels,' he said. Johari added that the ministry has commissioned the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) to carry out an impact assessment of REE mining on forest ecosystems. This includes preliminary studies of a mining project in Mukim Kenering, Perak, where REE extraction was carried out within a rubber plantation, he added. On technology, Johari said the project in Mukim Kenering currently uses the in-situ leaching (ISL) method with technological cooperation from China. Nevertheless, he said the ministry aims to build local expertise in upstream and midstream activities through strategic and progressive technology-sharing initiatives. 'The government is committed to balancing economic potential with public concerns, particularly regarding pollution risks, water safety, public health and local technological capability,' he said.
The Sun
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
State governments urged to adopt National Forestry Act amendments
SHAH ALAM: State governments must accelerate the adoption of the National Forestry (Amendment) Act 2022 by updating their local Forestry Enactments to strengthen forest conservation efforts, said Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii. Speaking at the 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign launch at the National Botanical Gardens, Huang noted that only the Federal Territory and Perlis have fully implemented the legal amendments so far. The ministry remains committed to preserving at least 50 percent of Malaysia's land under forest cover, fulfilling the nation's 1992 Earth Summit pledge in Rio de Janeiro. Key conservation measures include designating forest areas as Permanent Forest Reserves and increasing Ecological Fiscal Transfer funding to RM250 million this year. The financial incentive helps states execute high-impact conservation projects. Regarding the tree-planting initiative, Huang reported that 115.7 million trees of 1,972 species have been planted nationwide as of June 15, surpassing the original 100 million target early. The campaign continues through 2025 to raise public awareness about forest conservation.
New Straits Times
16-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Well-organised rings linked to illegal mineral mining, says Forestry Dept D-G
KOTA BARU: Illegal mineral mining activities in Peninsular Malaysia are increasingly sophisticated and may involve well-organised syndicates. This was revealed by Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department director-general Datuk Zahari Ibrahim. He said investigations into recent cases, particularly in Kelantan and Pahang, suggest the existence of structured operations, some of which likely operate under the control of syndicates. "Illegal mining on tenement land can occur either with or without syndicate involvement. However, several cases show clear signs of systematic operations, possibly coordinated by organised groups," he told the New Straits Times. He said syndicate-linked mining typically involves heavy machinery such as excavators and gold sluices, 4WD vehicles, motorcycles, generators, water pumps, welding machines, and the bulk use of fuel supplies, including oil storage drums. "There is also widespread use of foreign and local labour. We suspect the illegal miners are operating in hotspot areas that have approved mineral exploration licences, using these permits as a smokescreen to evade enforcement authorities. "These individuals exploit the gaps in monitoring by disguising their illegal activities under the guise of legitimate exploration," Zahari said. The department, he said, has adopted a multi-agency approach to combat illegal gold mining, especially in forest reserves. He added that among the measures implemented were satellite image monitoring to detect changes in forested areas, with intelligence processed through the department's War Room. Others are joint patrols and periodic monitoring of approved exploration sites with state-level enforcement agencies, including the police, the Minerals and Geoscience Department, the State Land and Mines Office, the Department of Environment and the Immigration Department. "We also deploy advanced surveillance tools such as drones and the SMART Forestry Patrol application and install road barriers to restrict access to Permanent Forest Reserves," he added. They have also set up permanent control checkpoints under the Integrated Khazanah Operations in critical areas. Zahari reaffirmed the department's commitment to tackling illegal mining, emphasising that collaboration across agencies was vital to protecting the nation's forest reserves and natural resources.
New Straits Times
01-06-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Malaysia among world's top countries for certified tropical rainforest areas
KANGAR: More than 83 per cent of the Permanent Forest Reserves (PRF) in this country have been certified under the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification or PEFC scheme to date, making Malaysia among the countries with the largest area of certified tropical rainforest in the world. Peninsular Malaysia Forestry director-general Datuk Zahari Ibrahim said the achievement also places Malaysia as the only tropical rainforest country in the top 10 globally in terms of certified forest area, surpassing major tropical countries such as Brazil and Indonesia. "This achievement not only proves the effectiveness of state policies but also reflects the commitment to enforcement at the local level as well as the continued determination of the Peninsula Malaysia Forestry Department in practising the principles of sustainable, responsible and competitive forest management on the global stage," he said. He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Nakawan Rainforest Festival, held in conjunction with this year's state-level International Forest Day celebration, at the South Perlis District Forest Office Square, Sungai Batu Pahat Ecotourism Complex, near here, today. The closing ceremony was officiated by the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail. Also present was the Raja Perempuan of Perlis Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Almarhum Tengku Abdul Rashid. Meanwhile, Zahari said that four new areas had been gazetted as PFR, making the total PFR area in the state of Perlis 11,140 hectares last year, compared to 10,870 hectares in 2023. "Congratulations and well done to the state government for this commitment, which should be used as an example to other states in increasing efforts to preserve and conserve priceless natural treasures," he said. He added that 114.72 million trees, comprising 1,972 tree species, had been successfully planted nationwide since the launch of the 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign. Zahari also expressed his appreciation to the Perlis state government for the success of the campaign, which had recorded 1,039,759 trees planted as of May 22, exceeding the initial target of one million trees. – BERNAMA
The Sun
01-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Over 83% of Malaysia's PFR under PEFC, places nation in world's top 10
KANGAR: More than 83 per cent of the Permanent Forest Reserves (PRF) in this country have been certified under the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification or PEFC scheme to date, making Malaysia among the countries with the largest area of certified tropical rainforest in the world. Peninsular Malaysia Forestry director-general Datuk Zahari Ibrahim said the achievement also places Malaysia as the only tropical rainforest country in the top 10 globally in terms of certified forest area, surpassing major tropical countries such as Brazil and Indonesia. 'This achievement not only proves the effectiveness of state policies but also reflects the commitment to enforcement at the local level as well as the continued determination of JPSM (Peninsula Malaysia Forestry Department) in practising the principles of sustainable, responsible and competitive forest management on the global stage,' he said. He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Nakawan Rainforest Festival, held in conjunction with this year's state-level International Forest Day celebration, at the South Perlis District Forest Office Square, Sungai Batu Pahat Ecotourism Complex, near here, today. The closing ceremony was officiated by the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail. Also present was the Raja Perempuan of Perlis Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Almarhum Tengku Abdul Rashid. Meanwhile, Zahari said that four new areas had been gazetted as PFR, making the total PFR area in the state of Perlis to 11,140 hectares last year compared to 10,870 hectares in 2023. 'Congratulations and well done to the state government for this commitment which should be used as an example to other states in increasing efforts to preserve and conserve priceless natural treasures,' he said. He added that 114.72 million trees, comprising 1,972 tree species, had been successfully planted nationwide since the launch of the 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign. Zahari also expressed his appreciation to the Perlis state government for the success of the campaign, which had recorded 1,039,759 trees planted as of May 22, exceeding the initial target of one million trees.
