20. New Kedah government stops two land clearing projects

LANGKAWI: The Kedah Government has ordered a temporary stop on land clearing activities following public complaints, said Mentri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

He said two land clearing projects, implemented by the previous state administration, have been stopped so far.

One land clearing was for an agro-tourism project near the Pedu dam while the other is the Ladang Rakyat project at Gunung Inas, Baling.

Mukhriz said the orders to stop were issued on May 18.

He added that a review of both projects was being made and the state government would come out with a solution to protect the safety of the people and the environment.

The state will not hesitate to terminate any logging concession if it flouts procedures, even the smallest requirement, he said.

The state government is acting on complaints from villagers that the two projects affected their supply of clean water, he told reporters here yesterday, after witnessing the signing of an agreement between the Lang-kawi Development Authority and Pekan Artisan Sdn Bhd for two tourism projects on the island.

Regarding his planned state budget for next year, Mukhriz said it would be a realistic budget based on the states ability.

The revenue projected by the previous state government was far-fetched ... about RM20mil from the RM640mil in projected revenue to be derived from the sale of raw water to Penang ... in which there has been no progress, he said.

Mukhriz added, however, that his state government intended to go ahead with the proposal to charge Penang for raw water.

View post:
20. New Kedah government stops two land clearing projects