Ministry to set up department to monitor forest management in federal territories

KUALA LUMPUR: The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will set up the Federal Territories Forestry Department to coordinate the management of forests in the federal capital, Putrajaya and Labuan.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the ministry was now in the process of getting approval for this from the cabinet by April.

He said a committee, involving various agencies under the ministry, was formed to discuss the setting up of the department.

“There has been no leader to look after forest administration in the federal territories. Hence, the need to set up this department.

“For instance, the Bukit Kiara forest issue ... no authorities can resolve the issue and all quarters seem not wanting to be responsible and pointing (their) fingers to this and that ministry or department,” he said.

He was speaking at a press conference after launching the Peninsular Malaysia Eco-Forest Park and Canopy Walk mobile applications at Kuala Lumpur Tower, here, yesterday.

Meanwhile, Wan Junaidi said the ministry would set up a laboratory that would act as a one- stop centre to obtain fast results and to expedite actions on issues pertaining to the environment.

The laboratory would gather all data available at research labs in the country including those under the Department of Environment, Minerals and Geoscience Department and the National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia. — Bernama