This is the petition in English. Petisyen dalam Bahasa Malaysia di http://bit.ly/263rg2F
1) PRESERVE THE FORESTS
We URGE that the forests of eastern KL at Ampang & Cheras (known as the Ampang & Bukit Sungai Puteh Forest Reserves) be protected from being cleared for the highway projects of SUKE (Sg Besi Ulu Kelang) dan EKVE (East Klang Valley Expressway).
2) FREE PEOPLE'S GYM
HUNDREDS of people young & old come here to hike & exercise every week because it's so NEAR KL. It's a Free People's Gym. It's also a recognised Tourist Attraction.
3) FLASH FLOODS = TRAFFIC JAMS
The forests of eastern KL ABSORB heavy rainfall. If the forests are damaged, flash floods which cause MASSIVE TRAFFIC JAMS in KL will become worse.
Soil erosion will lead to wastage of millions of ringgit in taxpayers money for flood reduction projects such as river dredging.
4) SELANGOR WATER CRISIS 2 ?
Rain water absorbed & stored in the forests is gradually released during the DRY SEASON. Without the forests, we fear a repeat of the DRY TAPS that we saw during the earlier Selangor Water Crisis. Have we not learnt our lesson?
5) HOT WEATHER
The current blazing hot weather will be even worse without the forests at the edge of KL, especially with future global warming.
6) COMMUNITY STATE PARK
The forests here, especially at Bukit Saga, are a great example of the Malaysian Volunteer Spirit of Gotong-Royong. Over the past 10 years, local volunteers have built a beautiful hiking place by collecting rubbish, building steep hill trails & setting up rest areas.
This is actually like a Community State Park built by the sweat & money of volunteers - without any subsidy from the State Government.
7) PAKATAN'S PROMISES
The Pakatan Selangor State Government was elected by voters on the promise of CLEAN NEW POLITICS, TRANSPARENCY & a promise of No New Tolled Highways.
We are very surprised that the SUKE & EKVE highways proposed by Federal authorities are now being approved by the Selangor State Govt. Why has the highway concession agreement not been revealed? What are the traffic studies?
The manner of approval has seemed secretive. Public disclosure & engagement have been sorely lacking. Residents whose houses are to be acquired have complained of lack of adequate notice. Are we going back to the BAD POLITICS of the past?
8) For ALL the above reasons, we therefore URGE that the Ampang & Bukit Sungai Puteh Forest Reserves be PROTECTED against the SUKE & EKVE highway projects.
Thank you.
P/S if you want to know more, here are some media reports on the issue:
1) 10,000 signatures in first round of petition to Save Selangor Forests.
http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2016/04/12/green-lungs-sends-petition/
2) Selangor will face water crisis soon, says Klang MP. No to highways that cut thru forests.
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/klang-valley-may-face-water-crisis-in-43-days-mp-says
3) 6 NGO's ask Selangor Govt to preserve forests.
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1775372
4) Saga Hill is a Saga of Love (by the community for nature)
http://www.star2.com/travel/adventure/2016/04/09/if-you-enjoy-hiking-come-to-saga-hill-tomorrow-for-a-fun-hike-and-save-the-hill/
