TELUK INTAN, Perak — In a significant move to align with federal environmental policies, the Perak state government, led by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, announced its commitment to fully adopt the recent amendments to the National Forestry Act (Act 313). This decision, declared at a media conference in Teluk Intan, marks a key step in the state’s environmental governance.

According to BARNAMA News Agency, the amendments, which were approved and gazetted at the federal level in September, will be incorporated as the Forestry Enactment (Adoption) in Perak. He emphasized the state’s readiness to ensure collaboration among all relevant departments and agencies to effectively implement these changes, in line with federal directives.

During his address, following visits to flood victims at Padang Tembak Multipurpose Hall and Chikus Multipurpose Hall, Datuk Seri Saarani reiterated the state’s stance, “We will follow what has been decided by the federal government.” The event was also attended by key state officials, including Datuk Salbiah Mohamed, Chairman of the state Women, Family, Social Welfare, Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Committee, and Woo Kah Leong, Chairman of the state Domestic Trade, Cooperatives, Consumer Affairs and Chinese New Villages Committee.

The move comes in the wake of a call by Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, urging all state governments to support and implement the amended act. The amendments aim to strengthen the management and protection of Permanent Forest Reserves (HSK) by introducing more stringent processes for their degazetting and replacement, including a mandatory public investigation prior to any degazetting.

Additionally, the amendments significantly increase penalties for forest offences, with the maximum fine raised from RM500,000 to RM5 million, and the maximum prison term extended from seven to 20 years, reflecting a more robust approach to forest conservation.